What do I need to know before driving on a motorway?
Make sure your car is safe to drive – check your oil levels, brakes, tyre pressures and windscreen wash fluid. Consider bringing along a more experienced driver such as a friend, parent or other relative for reassurance, if you feel uncomfortable.
How do you drive on the motorway for the first time?
8 motorway tips for new drivers
- Get your car ready. One of the main concerns people express when driving on the motorway for the first time is breaking down.
- Adjust your speed for slip roads.
- Adhere to the two-second rule.
- Stick to the left lane.
- Use your mirrors.
- Take a break.
- Read up on motorway signals.
How to get rid of motorway anxiety?
If your fear of motorway driving is more severe, relaxation techniques can be a helpful aid in overcoming anxiety. For example: Start by taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe in gently and regularly, it’s important not to force the breath.
Who has priority when joining a motorway?
The Highway Code says that traffic joining the motorway should ‘give priority to traffic already on the motorway’ and ‘adjust speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane’.
What speed should you drive on a motorway?
If we’re honest, many travel at around 77-80mph on the motorway. Some even go to 90mph or beyond. But anyone travelling over the 70mph speed limit is breaking the law. The Highway Code says the speed limit is the “absolute maximum” speed at which you can travel, and that you must not exceed it.
What should you know about driving on a motorway?
Motorways present a number of driving situations that don’t occur frequently on single carriageway roads such as traffic merging at various speeds, vehicles overtaking on the left and the right, gantry signs and vehicles travelling at high speed next to one another. Let’s cover off four things you’ll need to consider when driving on the motorway.
Is it dangerous to drive on a motorway at a slow speed?
You need speed to seamlessly join the traffic already on the motorway. Entering a motorway at a slow speed is dangerous – even though it may feel ‘safer’. Other drivers behind you will have to suddenly brake, and you’ll cause jams.
Why is it dangerous to change lanes on a motorway?
Changing lanes on a motorway increases the risk of an accident and also slows the average speed once the traffic reaches a critical mass. Some traffic modelling algorithms will say that one driver making an erratic move can trigger a traffic jam – like a ‘butterfly effect’ of driving.
Is it possible to deal with a motorway phobia?
You can deal with the motorway phobia. And it is a phobia. It’s quite common for people, as they get older, suddenly to lose confidence in driving, particularly if they find their sight isn’t what it used to be, even if it’s well within the driving limit.
What’s the best way to stop on a motorway?
If you can’t get to an emergency refuge area and have to stop in a running lane, turn your hazard lights on. Unless you’re in the left hand lane and can get out safely on the left hand side, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and dial 999. Stop as far to the left as you can with the wheels turned to the left and your hazard warning lights on.
Why is it important to know the condition of your car on motorway?
Being clear and up-front about the condition of your car enables an accurate price to be identified quickly and reduces the risk of any disagreements over price down the line. Motorway helps you capture the condition of your car through our easy-to-use photo app and online questionnaire – this takes just a few minutes.
You need speed to seamlessly join the traffic already on the motorway. Entering a motorway at a slow speed is dangerous – even though it may feel ‘safer’. Other drivers behind you will have to suddenly brake, and you’ll cause jams.
What to do if your car breaks down on a smart motorway?
If you break down on a smart motorway, there might not be a hard shoulder. In that case, follow these steps instead. 1. Get to an emergency refuge area (ERA) If your car can still be driven, get to a service area or leave at the next junction. If you can’t, aim for the next emergency refuge area.