The right way on the motorway
The motorway can be an intimidating place if you’re not used to it. So, this 4 June, spare a thought for learner drivers who from that date on, will be allowed on the motorway with an approved driving instructor.
It’s hoped that this change in the law will help reduce the number of casualties with young drivers, says Transport Secretary Chris Grayling:
“Younger drivers are up to seven times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with drivers over 25 and lack of experience is an important factor.
“Allowing learners to drive on motorways in a supportive environment will help them develop a practical understanding of how to use motorways safely before driving independently.”
If you’re one of the many drivers who was let loose onto the motorway without any prior training, we thought it might be handy to revise some of the tips to safe motorway driving… (apologies if we’re getting you to suck eggs here).
Getting on to the motorway
The first – and perhaps most intimidating - hurdle to overcome is of course getting onto the motorway itself. You should match the speed of your car to those on the motorway already by building up your speed on the slip road. And before you join the motorway ensure that you do a full observation, not forgetting the crucial blind spot check.
There is also some confusion out there about who has the right of way on the motorway – is it the car coming off the slip road or the cars already on the motorway? It’s the later. Rule 259 of the Highway Code says that you should ‘give priority to traffic already on the motorway.’
Cruising along the right way
Ever heard the expression middle lane hogger and wondered if you might be one?
Although there are usually three lanes on a motorway, the Highway Code says that drivers should stay in the left-hand lane, using the other two for overtaking.
You could even be given an on the spot fine of £100 and three penalty points on your license.
Middle lane hogging isn’t acceptable is because it can cause congestion. If someone from the left-hand lane wants to overtake, but cars in the middle lane are blocking them, they will need to go across two lanes to get ahead. Changing lanes is also one of the riskiest parts of motorway driving, where a misjudgement can be costly.
But bear in mind that it’s ok to sit in the middle lane if you are giving way to vehicles joining the motorway from the slip road. Or if you’ve overtaken a car and are approaching a slip road – it might be best to wait till you’ve passed the entry to the motorway.
Timing is everything
Without stating the obvious, cars are going a lot faster on the motorway so will take more time to stop. That’s why the two second rule is a good, easy one to remember.
You should stay at least two seconds behind the car in front. This gives you a safety buffer to respond and avoid collision. But how do you know if you’re two seconds behind? Choose a marker such as a tree or bridge and wait for the car in front to pass and then count two seconds.
And double the two second rule in rainy weather.
It’s hoped that this change in the law will help reduce the number of casualties with young drivers, says Transport Secretary Chris Grayling:
“Younger drivers are up to seven times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared with drivers over 25 and lack of experience is an important factor.
“Allowing learners to drive on motorways in a supportive environment will help them develop a practical understanding of how to use motorways safely before driving independently.”
If you’re one of the many drivers who was let loose onto the motorway without any prior training, we thought it might be handy to revise some of the tips to safe motorway driving… (apologies if we’re getting you to suck eggs here).
Getting on to the motorway
The first – and perhaps most intimidating - hurdle to overcome is of course getting onto the motorway itself. You should match the speed of your car to those on the motorway already by building up your speed on the slip road. And before you join the motorway ensure that you do a full observation, not forgetting the crucial blind spot check.
There is also some confusion out there about who has the right of way on the motorway – is it the car coming off the slip road or the cars already on the motorway? It’s the later. Rule 259 of the Highway Code says that you should ‘give priority to traffic already on the motorway.’
Cruising along the right way
Ever heard the expression middle lane hogger and wondered if you might be one?
Although there are usually three lanes on a motorway, the Highway Code says that drivers should stay in the left-hand lane, using the other two for overtaking.
You could even be given an on the spot fine of £100 and three penalty points on your license.
Middle lane hogging isn’t acceptable is because it can cause congestion. If someone from the left-hand lane wants to overtake, but cars in the middle lane are blocking them, they will need to go across two lanes to get ahead. Changing lanes is also one of the riskiest parts of motorway driving, where a misjudgement can be costly.
But bear in mind that it’s ok to sit in the middle lane if you are giving way to vehicles joining the motorway from the slip road. Or if you’ve overtaken a car and are approaching a slip road – it might be best to wait till you’ve passed the entry to the motorway.
Timing is everything
Without stating the obvious, cars are going a lot faster on the motorway so will take more time to stop. That’s why the two second rule is a good, easy one to remember.
You should stay at least two seconds behind the car in front. This gives you a safety buffer to respond and avoid collision. But how do you know if you’re two seconds behind? Choose a marker such as a tree or bridge and wait for the car in front to pass and then count two seconds.
And double the two second rule in rainy weather.
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