Motorways are the safest roads in the country and when used properly, they can give quick, safe and easy access to virtually the whole country.
That said, driving on the motorway requires slightly different driving skills to driving on a regular road. Many drivers travel at a faster speed on a motorway than they would do on a normal road, which invariably gives them less reaction time if an unexpected situation arises. Another difference comes in the form of the signals used to instruct drivers, as most motorway signals are simply not used on normal roads.
Before you set off.
- Make sure you vehicle is fit for use.
- Make sure your driving licence covers you to drive that class of vehicle and that you are properly insured.
- Check: petrol; oil; radiator water level; windscreen washer bottle; windscreen wiper blades; lights and indicators; tyres and tyre pressure.
- Plan your route but be flexible and allow plenty of time for the journey.
- If you are in an emergency breakdown organisation make sure you have their number.
Safer Driving on Motorways
- When travelling on a motorway, drivers should leave a larger gap between vehicles than on other roads because generally, they will be driving faster – increasing the necersary stopping distance.
- Large vehicles can make it difficult to see what’s coming up ahead, so if this happens, you need to change lanes or drop back a bit so that you can see what’s going on further up the road.
- Don’t hog the middle lane. The middle and right lanes are overtaking lanes and that means that as soon as you have overtaken another vehicle, you should move back in again. Hogging the middle lane will cause congestion and make traffic worse.
- Make sure you don’t get blasé about your speed while driving on motorways. Keep checking your’e within the legal limit.
- Remember “Speed”
The facts
Breaking the speed limit, or driving too fast for the conditions on the road, contributes to more than 850 deaths and 33,000 injuries every year.
In 2006, going too fast for the conditions was reported as a factor in 29 per cent of fatal accidents. Over 70 per cent of drivers in one study admitted to speeding and in other studies the figure was 85 per cent.
Partnership Results
A combination of engineering and enforcement measures alongside the education campaigns have seen some improvements in speeding behaviours. For example, in 1995 72% of cars exceeded the speed limit in 30mph zones; by 2005 this had reduced to 50%.
During this month operation “Gouda” takes place, this is a TISPOL led Speed Campaign running from 18th August till 24th August inclusive.
Useful links
Think! Road Safety Advice
Website: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/index.htm
Motorway Driving (Highways Agency Advice)
Website: www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/15794.aspx