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MOTORWAY DRIVING

Now that you have passed your driving test and gained your full licence, you are permitted to drive on motorways without a qualified driver accompanying you.  However on motorways you will be among traffic driving at very high speeds, whilst you are restricted to 45 M.P.H. for the first year of your licence.  This speed limit combined with  your inexperience raises obvious safety issues which you must consider before driving on unknown motorways, with trucks and cars thundering along at 70 M.P.H. and in many instances a lot faster.  Motorway driving can be safe if approached with skill and responsibility.

The information on the following pages should help, but there is no substitute for a structured motorway driving course, two hour motorway or night driving courses are available with your Confidence driving instructor from £50.00.

A motorway is a main road for fast moving traffic with limited access.  We will cover many aspects of motorway driving so that you will have the right skills and disciplines that will enable you to become an even better and safer driver.  It is imperative that you check the general condition of your car before you decide  to drive on the motorway because of the dangers involved on these types of roads.  You should always check that your tyres are in good condition, the tyre depth is within the legal limit and that your tyre pressures are set correctly.  Make sure that you have enough fuel, oil and adequate water levels.  Ensure your windows, headlights, indicators and mirrors are clean.  If you are drawing a trailer, check and secure the load before commencing your journey.  If you feel tired or unwell do not under any circumstances drive on the motorway.  You may fall asleep and possibly kill yourself or someone else.  In a detailed survey carried out in the United Kingdom and the USA researchers found that many motorway accidents were caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel.  Most accidents happen before 4am and 6am.  The investigators also found that sleep related accidents were three times more likely to result in serious injury or death than any other road accident.  This was because sleepy drivers failed to brake to prevent the accident - so the impact was worse.  Their study also revealed that many drivers found that long-distance motorway driving very monotonous.  This caused them to daydream while driving, often going into ‘trances’.  In fact, the survey also revealed that many long distance drivers had absolutely no recollection of large parts of their journey.  Remember, ‘stay awake, stay alive’. 

Joining and leaving the motorway

When you join the motorway, you will approach from a road called a slip road.  As you come of the slip road you will enter the acceleration lane.  The acceleration lane will allow you to increase your speed so that it matches the speed of the traffic already on the motorway.  Make sure you stay in the acceleration lane (do not drive on the hard shoulder) until it is safe to enter the motorway in the first lane.  Do not force your way onto the motorway - stop if necessary.  Judging the speed of the motorway traffic before you emerge requires skill and patience, because traffic will be moving very fast.  Stay in the first lane until you have become accustomed to the speeds of other vehicles using the motorway.  If you wish to leave the motorway you will also leave by a slip road.  Keep a good lookout for the countdown markers as they will tell you how far away your exit road is.  When you leave the motorway make sure you adjust your speed to suit the new conditions.  If you miss your exit road you must carry on until you reach the next exit.

Driving on the motorway

Always drive on the first lane of the motorway unless you are overtaking or road signs or markings direct you otherwise.  Some large goods vehicles, coaches or any vehicle drawing a trailer must not use the third lane of the carriageway with three or more lanes unless there are exceptional circumstances.  In normal circumstances the second lane is the only one they may use for overtaking.  You should therefore move into the first lane as soon as it is practicable  to do so.   Finally, if you see a large good vehicle emerging onto the motorway (an especially difficult manoeuvre due to the weight) it is courteous to adjust your speed or change lane to allow them access. Watch out for any motorway speed restrictions or flashing light signals which will warn you of any hazards ahead.  You will usually see them on overhead gantries or at the side of the carriageway.  If you ever see any flashing amber lights check your mirrors and if it is safe, use progressive braking to slow down ( especially in poor weather conditions) until you are satisfied it is safe to go faster again.  If you breakdown or something falls of  your car whilst driving on the motorway, move over to the hard shoulder as soon as it is safe.  Many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured whilst standing or walking on the hard shoulder. Try to position your car as far over to the left hand side of the hard shoulder as possible and warn any passengers of the dangers of passing vehicles  Look out for a telephone symbol with an arrow to tell you where to find the nearest emergency telephone (directly connected to a police control room).  Do not under any circumstances cross the central reservation to use an emergency telephone. 

If you ever feel tired whilst driving on the motorway, wind your window down for ventilation and leave the motorway at the next exit or the nearest service station.  When rejoining the first lane, build up your speed on the hard shoulder and wait for a safe gap in the traffic before emerging.

Lane discipline

On carriageways with three or more lanes the normal rule of, ‘Keep to the left’ still applies.  You may, however, stay in the second lane when there are slower vehicles in the first lane but you should return to the first lane when you have passed them.  The third lane is for overtaking only.  If you use it, move back to the second lane and then into the first lane as soon as you can without cutting in.

  The following are not permitted on the motorway:

            Learner drivers except LGV/PSV learners.

            Slow-moving vehicles (unless permission has been granted).

            Cyclists and riders of small motorcycles.

            Agricultural vehicles.

            Some carriages used by invalids.

            Pedestrians.

If you are driving on the motorway you must not stop except:

            In an emergency (for example, to prevent an accident).

            When you break down.

            When you are signalled to do so by the police, by an emergency traffic sign or  flashing red light signals.

You may park only at a service area.  You must not park on:

            The carriageway itself.

            The slip roads.

            The hard shoulders, (except in an emergency).

            The central reservation.

You must not walk on the carriageway.  In an emergency be particularly careful to keep children and animals off the carriageway and the hard shoulders.  DO NOT stop on the hard shoulder to use your mobile phone and NEVER use your mobile phone on the move except in an emergency where you are feeling at risk.

Overtaking

Many fatal traffic accidents are caused by motorway overtaking.  Overtaking is a safe manoeuvre providing it is done correctly with due regard for other road users.  If you wish to overtake always use the Mirrors (Look, Assess, Decide), Signal, Manoeuvre routine.  Keep well back from the vehicle in front and make sure you look in your mirrors early so that you can judge the speed and distance of the vehicles behind and decide the best time to overtake.  Some drivers break the law and travel at speeds in excess of 100mph. Remember that as a restricted driver you are limited to 45 M.P.H. be careful and only overtake if you are sure that it is completely safe.  Once you have decided it is safe, overtake with determination and check you mirrors again to see if it is safe before you move back in.  Never cut back in or overtake if it would force another vehicle to alter its speed or change direction.  Remember, you may only overtake on the left if traffic is moving slowly in queues.  Finally, always flash your headlights instead of using the horn (other drivers won’t hear you) if you ever wish to warn other road users of your presence.

Look, Assess, Decide

After you have checked your mirrors, you can quickly glance over your shoulder to check for other road users in the blind spot - especially motorcyclists, before you decide to change direction to the right or left.  However, if you find it necessary to check your blind spot, you must be careful because a vehicle in front may make a quick lane change or brake sharply when you are looking over your shoulder and not at the road in front.  When driving on the motorway always concentrate and look well ahead as far as possible.  The earlier you see any danger, the more time you will have to take evasive action.

Driving at night

When driving on a motorway at night, you will sometimes see different types of coloured reflective studs.  They are a guide to warn and inform you whilst driving.  There are amber-coloured studs marking the right-hand edge of the carriageway, red studs between the hard shoulder and carriageway, green studs which separate the acceleration and deceleration lanes from the through carriageway and bright green studs which are found at contraflow systems and roadworks.  If you ever have to overtake another vehicle or obstruction on a motorway at night keep your indicator on longer and signal sooner to warn other traffic.

Motorway fog

Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions in which to drive.  Driving in fog can cause eye strain and your ability to anticipate the actions of other road users will be severely restricted.  Therefore:

Drive in the first lane of motorways and dual carriageways as much as possible.

Don’t hang on to the tail lights of the vehicle in front because it gives a false sense of security.  In    thick fog, if you can see the vehicle in front you are probably too close unless you are travelling too slowly.

See and be seen.  If you cannot see clearly use dipped headlights or front fog lights.  Only use rear fog lamps when visibility is severely reduced.

Use front and rear fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328feet).  You must not use front or rear  fog lights at other times.  Remember to switch them off when visibility improves.

Use your windscreen wipers and demisters.  Check your mirrors and slow down.  Keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you.  You should always be able to pull up within the distance you can see clearly.

Be aware of your speed because you may be going much faster than you think.  Do not accelerate to get away from a vehicle which is too close behind you.

Open your window(s) so that you can hear any approaching traffic and keep your foot on the brake pedal (an extra warning for drivers behind) if you are waiting to turn at a road junction.  Consider using your horn to warn other road users of your presence.

When the word ‘fog’ is shown on a roadside signal, but the road appears to be clear, be prepared for a bank of fog or drifting smoke ahead.  Fog can drift rapidly and is often patchy.  Even if it seems to be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.  If you must drive in fog, allow more time for your journey.

Confidence School Of Motoring