Motorway help - very nervous driver!

[VillageFete]

Hi,

I have to take my baby boy for an important medical appointment on Saturday morning and need to use the motorway to get there.
There’s no one else to take us or accompany us.

I’ll need to set off around 8am Saturday morning and the journey takes approx 1 hour 15 mins. I’ll be going up the M62.

To say i’m terrified is an understatement. I simply have no confidence motorway driving, i’m not aware of all these new rules with smart motorways and I hate driving to places if i’m not familiar with the road layout. How will I know what lane to be in?

I’m looking for tips regarding safe motorway driving, merging on, how to know when it’s safe to change lanes at such high speeds and what these new smart motorways entail.

Also, if I stay in the left lane and traffic is merging on, do I try to change lane to let them on?

Yes, I really am this nervous and incompetent

VillageFete
I completely agree that it’s very worrying that I need to ask these questions after holding a license for over 10 years

Don't beat yourself up, we aren't taken on the motorway during our lessons so some people NEVER go on the motorway and thus have no experience of motorway driving.

I went on the motorway the day after I passed as I have friends who have been driving for years but are too scared to use the motorway, I didn't want to be like that, it was a little daunting but you soon get used to it and to be perfectly honest, motorway driving is much easier than normal roads, lots of room and visibility help a lot.

As others have said, stay in the left lane, you only have to move over if approaching a slip road and traffic is merging onto the motorway.

She doesn't have to move over at all! It's merely a courtesy to those joining - they are the one with the responsibility to join in an appropriate gap, and if they have to stop and/or use the hard shoulder, that's up to them.

I find motorways the easiest roads to drive on so no need to be nervous. Stick to the left most lane you can when not overtaking and other than that, it's basically just driving on a dual carriageway with some extra lanes. No need to panic!

Even if you are using sat nav, have a good idea of your route before you set off. There are several junctions from the M62 into Huddersfield, so know which one you need and roughly where from there. There is s ring road round the town centre, and the lane destinations are painted on the road or on overhead signs. You may need to move lanes, but the signs will tell you where you are gojng.

Whereabouts is Hudds are you going?

Just stay in the left-hand lane and stick behind whatever lorry is in front if you're nervous about overtaking. You don't need to move over to let joining traffic in.

Use your sat nav even if you know where you're going as it will give you confidence about when to exit the motorway etc.

I live in Huddersfield and have done that journey plenty of times
It’s very very easy, you can get on the M62 one end and if it’s HRI you are coming to its very quick and simple from junction 23.
I appreciate it’s scary when you aren’t used to motorways but as a first go it’s a good route.
Hope it all goes ok x

Set up google maps so you have verbal notice of junctions.

Merge on at the speed of the traffic in lane 1 as you join. This will probably be 50-60 mph. Possibly faster if it's quiet.

Lane 1 is a good place to be if you have no great urgency. It tends to be easier to keep a good stopping distance in there as other lanes bunch up more. Keep an eye on signage if its a section where lanes are coming on/ off to different destinations. Motorways are well signed. Keep an eye on the road ahead where possible so you can anticipate changes and react with space around you.

Smart motorway just means that traffic is monitored and if necessary lanes/ speeds controlled by the overhead gantries.

If you do need to pull out into lane 2, mirror, signal, manouver as usual (check blindspots). You may need to gain some speed before pulling out as lane 2 is often a fair bit faster. I did Pass Plus and was advised to pull in when I could see the overtaken vehicle appearing in my rear view mirror because you've then given a good stopping distance to them. Don't pull in and slow up.

Use the sliproad to slow down as you leave. Look up your route in advance so you have an idea of what layout is ahead.

My first motorway session involved being guided Spaghetti Junction. Sorted for life Motorways are "simple" in that everything goes in the same direction and is clearly marked. Despite the odd high-speed prat weaving around, there is a lot less "clutter" to have to watch out for. They are the safest type of road with good reason.

Regarding not knowing what lane to be in - I didn’t actually mean on the motorway. I meant on large roundabouts etc before I get on the motorway. The last thing i’d need is to get in the wrong lane and end up somewhere other than where I was meant to be going!

I think Google street view is an excellent idea. Thanks to those who suggested it.

Seriously, with the stress of the appt as well this sounds like a bad idea. There is no rule that you HAVE to go on the motorway. You can do the whole drive by A roads and it will not be much further, just slower. Download an app like Waze: you can set it to avoid motorways and it will get you there. Currently showing the drive as 2.15 hours.

Fete , you are not alone ! A lot of people don’t motorway drive , I don’t drive up the A12 either ! I’m saluting you for doing it and will be sending positive vibes on Saturday 💐

Any larger complex roundabouts should have clear signs for lanes. Sat Nav usually gives guidence too.

It should be quiet enough that any lane errors can be relieved with indicators, a bit of space, mirror checking and some patience. It happens to everyone at some point!

Without knowing exactly where you are going in Huddersfield (appreciate you may not want to say) you are unlikely to have to worry about many roundabouts. There is one as you come off at jn23 but it’s not busy and very easy. Then as you head into town on the A640 there are a couple more but these are small ones and again very easy
If you want to PM me with more details I will see if I can give you any helpful local info

Regarding not knowing what lane to be in - I didn’t actually mean on the motorway. I meant on large roundabouts etc before I get on the motorway. The last thing i’d need is to get in the wrong lane and end up somewhere other than where I was meant to be going!

Just read the road signs - seriously, it's worrying that you feel you can't approach a major roundabout and follow the signs.

I am not the most confident driver either. I think 8am on a Saturday will be a good time to drive on a motorway though!

Definitely review the route before you go. Put it on google maps and then you can zoom in (have it on earth view) and literally look at the junctions so you can be confident about layout. Definitely use sat nav, I always do on journeys like this as it’s so much easier.

If you make a wrong turn, don’t panic. Leave yourself plenty of time and you can always go round a roundabout or work your way back from taking a wrong exit!

Stick to lane 1. The only thing that you’ll need to pay attention to is merges and slip roads - there are a few on that stretch of the m62 where you need to be switched on re traffic joining. However, it’s no different from a dual carriageway. You can slow down, speed up or move lanes to accommodate traffic joining the motorway. Just use your mirrors lots :)

Make yourself a playlist or have something to listen to that doesn’t take up too much attention but you find calming. Make your car environment as you like it and do your vehicle checks before you go.

If you feel overwhelmed, tell yourself you can take a break at the next services and do that. And remember to breathe! I always find I hold on to my breath a bit when driving/ concentrating.

Recently I did an hour on the m1 which is up there with the m62 as least favourite motorway (sorry!). And actually it was quite fun! There wasn’t too much traffic (I’m usually doing that stretch in rush hour) and I kept myself occupied by driving ‘properly’ eg sticking to lane 1 and overtaking where appropriate. All that lane changing made the time fly by ;)

An hour is really not very much, it will fly by x

The road will be clearly marked at the round about. Usually high signs and also lanes will be marked.
Make sure you are going at the speed of the traffic you are joining.

Smart motorways just have camera's and can log your speed.
So as long as you are doing the 70mph speed limit you really don't need to worry about that. Or 50 if it's a 50 limit.
Motorway driving is the safest way to get around.
If you do 60 on country lanes then 70 on a motorway will be a piece of piss!
You got this!

OP don't beat yourself up - completely normal if you aren't used to it.
Can you go for a couple of drives between now and then with the sat nav on? Its important to know how to use it and have it set up how you like it - e.g. I hate mine talking to me so I have it on silent. It will give you an idea of how much warning it will give you and things.

Obviously not much help before Saturday but I would recommend Pass Plus - an instructor will take you on motorways for a good few hours, it was a great way of getting more confident.
Honestly I find motorway driving easier than normal roads as long as i know where I am going!

Good luck, give yourself loads of time and deep breaths. Make sure your phone is charged so you can stop and call someone if you need to but honestly honestly you won't xx

Same here! I Google/AA route planner or use the sat nav with "avoid motorways" it takes longer but I feel safer

Your satnav will help with which lane to be in, and even if it's a huge roundabout the same rules usually apply: right hand lane for right hand turn etc. Practise using your satnav for local journeys beforehand so you know how it gives directions etc.

Big roundabouts are normally very clear, usually with large signs and direction marks on the road. If you go wrong just keep driving until you can stop safely and turn around to get back on track.

Satnav will also advise on distance for motorway exit. So you can decide '2 miles until my exit, do I want to overtake that lorry or not bother?'

You don't need to overtake/go fast but I would advise going the same speed as lorries at a minimum otherwise you'll have large trucks overtaking you which isn't that comfortable (personally at least)

If you make a wrong turn, don’t panic. Leave yourself plenty of time and you can always go round a roundabout or work your way back from taking a wrong exit!

And a sat nav/google maps etc will automatically recalculate the route as well.

Still worried such a nervous driver will be on public roads this weekend. Can you get P plates OP? At least then people know you are new/inexperienced and might give you a wider berth than normal?

I drove on a motorway for the first time a few days after getting my license - I was nervous about it but honestly I now generally quite enjoy driving on them, much more so than country roads! The scariest part is merging but just make sure you speed up and check your blind spot multiple times, just as you would on a dual carriageway. The signage is generally very good and if you're using satnav you'll know in plenty of time when your exit is coming up. Stick to lane 1 and don't try to overtake anyone if it stresses you out.

You'll be fine, OP. It's not anywhere near as scary as it seems

OP just tell yourself in advance that you’ll probably take one or two wrong turns on a route that you’ve never driven before. It’s not a problem. Your sat have will sort it out and you’ll be able to get back on track.

Liverpool to Huddersfield is literally a straight line and it’ll be very quiet at that time.

I hope that once you’ve done it once, you’ll feel more confident to do it again. Motorway driving is easier than city driving.

@Hoppinggreen It’s Wellfield Medical on New Hey Road? Do you know it?

Thank you all so much. You’ve been so, so helpful!

You are in luck OP. New Hey Road is the main road into Huddersfield from J23 of the M62. It’s a straightforward roundabout junction (unlike J24) and then straight down the road for a couple of miles. You don’t even have to deal with the ring road.,

You’ll be reet asvwe day in Yorkshire.

Yes as bikerunski says it’s the right side of the town for you
It’s very close to my house and I could give you detailed directions from the motorway if you think it will help - although from jn23 it’s basically 1 road for about 2 miles and then a right turn

Just remember not to panic.

If you take the wrong junction or exit, it really isn't the end of the world. If you're on a normal road, just pull over as soon as you're able and take a good look at the sat nav. If you're on the motorway, come off at the next exit or services, find a safe place to stop and check the sat nav.

Traffic conditions permitting, I find it helpful to be doing 60mph going along the slip so you can merge with the lorries doing 56mph. I find 4th gear useful too, so you have power if you need it. Remember to look over your shoulder and look for a gap.

I use Google Street View to look at key junctions in advance. Just check the date of the image at the bottom of the screen in case it's quite old.

Remember to always look over your shoulder to check your blind spot before pulling out and don't linger alongside lorries.