I have been drving for 3 years but am scared of motorways..?

Question

Hey u must be laughing while reading this.. I am a good driver i drive around almost everywhere but i have always avoided motorways. For some reason i am scared because i know u have to stick too 70 speed limit so if im not fast enough it might cause a fatality. Please help me as i have to take family out next week to relations and i have to use the M1 motorway.
Thank u xx

Answer 1

Everything's scary, the first time you do it—but I know what you mean, I don't much like driving on motorways (freeways to you Yanks!) either, but that's mainly because my car is a cast-off pile of junk with only four gears, so driving fast doesn't really agree with it (and also because of the lunatics who think they own the road)!

A few tips:
Basically you can't go wrong so long as you buckle up and stick to the speed limit. A word of advice on that score—a "speed limit" is supposed to be the MAXIMUM speed on a road, not the target speed. Having said that, 70 mph doesn't feel that much faster than 60 (limit on A-roads), and as far as I know, you don't get flashed by speed cameras if you're doing 75 (but don't quote me!).

Plan your journey ahead, know which exit(s) you need to take, or which roads, and ask your partner or a family member to be navigator/co-driver (especially good on long journeys, as you can take turns behind the wheel). If you're going to be on your own for at least part of your journey, you could try this: write a clear, simple list of the roads you want to take, and stick it to the hub of your steering wheel—it works!

Turns are always signposted well in advance, but if traffic's heavy you might need to change lanes a little earlier. Junctions are usually numbered in order, so if you know you have to get off at e.g. Jctn 11, pull over into the slow lane just after Jctn 10. It's not a bad idea to stay in the left-most lane as much as possible, except when overtaking, or passing junctions (see below).

Make sure your car's good for the journey—tank full, oil and water levels OK, tyres at correct pressure (these checks take less than five mins, and are advised before every journey—I do them about once a week, myself. When I remember!). Don't forget to check the pressure of the spare tyre, and it doesn't hurt to know how to use the jack and wheelnut spanner as well—just in case! (Every car I've ever driven was supplied with these as standard.) Ask someone to show you how to do any of that stuff if you're not sure. You are legally required to carry a hazard warning triangle (usually also supplied as standard).

A few words of warning:
In some ways, motorway driving is easier than town driving (everyone's going in the same direction, at roughly the same speed, you don't have to worry about traffic lights, gear changes and so on), but it can also be monotonous and dangerously hypnotic (same noise, same view, warm car), so don't get lulled into a false sense of security. Because of the speeds involved, you owe it to yourself and everyone else to stay alert. You didn't say how far you're going to be driving, but if it's more than 2 hours, take a break every hour or so—pull off and stop at a service station, climb out, walk around, stretch, go to the toilet, whatever. It's difficult to stay focussed for long periods, so don't try.

I find that the trickiest part of motorway driving is merging, usually because people in the nearside lane don't pull over to let in the mergees. (Don't let that be you!). If you're going past a junction, pull over into the middle lane to let mergees have a clearer run—you will be appreciated! If you're merging yourself, look over to the right for gaps as you come down/up a ramp, and accelerate to take advantage as you get level with the broken line. Even if a gap doesn't give you the 'ideal' stopping distance, it's still better to take it, as traffic tends to bunch up around junctions, and spread out again beyond them.

If you need to overtake a slow-moving vehicle (like a truck—or a car with a caravan, especially this time of year, especially going uphill!), always always always check your 'blind spot', which is the field of view you can't see in either your rearview- or your wing-mirror, without turning your head. It starts roughly level with your headrest, and extends to the back corner of your car. I nearly got sideswiped once by someone who didn't bother checking before they started to change lanes, and it was the closest I've ever been to having a serious accident.

A final word about the lunatic drivers who hang just off your rear bumper at 70mph—ignore them. You are in the right, you are within the limit—so don't feel pressured to go faster just because there's an idiot behind you. Remember, 50% of the population are below average intelligence (by definition!), and that means that 50% of drivers on the road are less capable than they think they are. Take a deep breath, and let them carry on chewing their steering wheel.

(And however much you might be tempted, don't hit the brakes suddenly—an accident is an accident, no matter who's to blame. Also, resist the temptation to give them a 2-finger salute—even if they start flashing their lights or honking—they might REALLY be a lunatic!)

Hope this helps. Didn't mean to write so much, but you seemed to need reassurance. Good luck, and take care.

Answer 2

Motorways (Amer. Highways) are ABSOLUTELY the safest roads. Big, wide lanes, NOTHING coming towards you, no sharp corners or blind summits.

I take it you will do about 60 on a dual carriageway....same principle, just 10mph difference.

If you haven't caused a fatality by being an overly cautious driver so far in your driving career - there is no reason to fear a long section of tarmac because it is designated 'M' for motorway.

If you still have some difficulties, go out for a 'practice' run with a calm friend who is insured to drive your car. Stick to about 60 or 70 and take your time & overtake a few HGV's (50mph) - DOUBLE check your mirrors / blind spots as it's not unknown for a 'rep-rocket' aka Vectra to storm up behind you.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

Hey Maryam.
Don't worry. Think of it like this, a motorway is one straight road, no corners, roundabouts, traffic lights, pedestrians, bicycles, prams etc.
It is actually a hell of a lot easier than ordinary driving. You won't even notice the speed because you will be travelling as fast as everyone else, when you come off you will think that 40 MPH is SOOOO SLOOOOWW.
It is only the getting on that is potentially tricky. The knack is to be travelling at a decent speed (at least 55, preferably higher) when appraoacing the end of the slip road. That way you can ease into a gap with out causing any problems.
Try practicing late at night (not too dark), just get on at one junction, off at the next, round the roundabout and back on.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Stick to the inside lane, as the traffic tends to slower in this lane - lorries and vehicles towing trailers are required by law to use the inside lane - this will allow faster/more confident drivers to use the other 2 lanes. If you stick to 50 that will be okay.

It was 3 or 4 years before I drove on a motorway - during the day when it was busier I drove to my destination on the A roads, it was night time when I made my return journey so I drove on the motorway when it was quieter to get used to driving at high speed.

Answer 5

Hi Maryam, you sound as though you need to build up your confidence so i would suggest you take a Pass Plus course with a local driving instructor. These are short courses where they cover motorways, countryside driving and other areas not necessarily covered when generally learning to drive. Another idea is to just book a few hours with an instructor telling them you want to be more confident on the motorway and they will sit with you in your own car giving you helpful advice and tutition. Good luck.

Answer 6

A good idea would be to get in touch with your local driving school.They will be able to give you a motorway lesson and show you how to drive on the motorway safetly.I am a believer that this should be a compulsory add on once you pass your main test for it is a dangerous place and calls for great concentration yet we can pass a test driving around the town at 20-30 mph then subject ourselves to this danger with no further advice.So book a lesson and be safe....!!!!

Answer 7

No one is laughing,motorways can be scary places at first,trust me when I say they are not as scary as you imagine,infact nothing in life ever is!Don't forget that!
Firstly everyone is going in the same direction which deffinately makes things alot simpler.Lorrys can only go 56mph so if you feel safer stay in their lane at first.
The first time i went on I made sure it would be quiet so went on about 11pm,you need a few cars to get used to things I found.
When joining keep up with other cars joining,but not too close.Keep looking left as you join and you will notice people pulling across to let you on.
Adjust your speed to the flow of traffic,indicate in plenty of time and move over,before you know it you'll be zooming along wondering why you ever worried.
I much prefer motorway driving now.
Goodluck

Answer 8

What ya worried about?!! millions do it every day and so can you. Just stay in the inside lane at 70 and only pull out when you need to, to let people off slip roads onto the motorway. The sooner you get on with it the better, your fear will only get worse otherwise!! My driving instructor told me to assume every driver is an idiot.............so from your perspective, you're a good driver!! Let your passengers in the car be your extra sets of eyes when you're not feeling too confident.

Answer 9

Hi - I have been driving for nearly 20 years and still don't feel that comfortable with motorway driving. However like most things you do get used to it.
I don't know if they still do it but when I passed with BSM I had a two hour motorway driving lesson which really helped. I expect someone out there still does that sort of thing. Its just reassuring if you are not used to it to have someone with you who is kind of in control and in charge.
Might be worth a try.

Answer 10

Well im not laughing so dont laugh at me... What is a motorway? I am in Alaska been away from the outside world awhile we have a couple of major highways mostly two lane ...lol.. so i am serious when i ask .. what is a motorway?

Answer 11

I only started using the M8 when we moved 2 years ago before that I'd been on it twice in 9 years of driving. I would love to sit behind a lorry doing 56mph!!!
Everybody's right, you do get used to it but try it early or late. The scariest bit is the on-ramp, and not everyone will get out your road so be aware of that, my understanding is they should but the police are very grey on that point. Your speed needs to match what's on the inside lane to join but you don't have to go at 70mph.
We all know that if you're doing 70mph nobody is going to overtake because they would be speeding,,,aye right!!!