Is it weird to stay off the motorways?

[chessica]

I will preface this and say I’m a relatively experienced driver and often use the car to pop to the supermarket, local shopping centre, train station etc

I don’t like motorways, haven’t used them as a driver in about 12 months possibly longer. We do live 5 minutes from several, but I can also take A/B roads to get to where I need to be usually only takes 10 minutes or so longer.

I am put off them as we have a lot of smart motorways nearby, and as a passenger when DH is driving I have noticed some awful driving around us. People on their mobiles doing 60, people texting in motorway traffic, people merging and then failing to accelerate and those who change their minds at the last minute and cut across two lanes of traffic at speed so they don’t miss their exit junction. Seems like fewer and fewer drivers leave the correct gap, you see them all up ahead following so closely & worse when there’s spray and rainy conditions. I know statistically they are safer, but surely not when everyone’s doing 60-80mph and many people not paying attention or leaving themselves enough space

Does anyone else avoid motorways altogether?

But that's the same for all driving - assume everyone else is an idiot.

I think if you're not comfortable with motorways it probably is best to avoid them though

I've never driven on a motorway and DH only drove on one for the first time about a decade after he passed his test.

We live in a little bit of a motorway blackspot - our nearest is the M6 but it's over an hours' drive from us and we never really have a reason to go on it.

I have a fairly regular journey that takes approximately 25 minutes on the motorway, or 35 minutes on A/B roads. Completely agree with you about other drivers being dangerous, especially not leaving enough space between cars and not driving in the correct lanes to overtake, and not indicating etc so I often take the slightly slower route to avoid the motorway.

It is also less boring to drive. Not exactly the scenic route, but certainly more variety.

I'm a nervous driver and particularly nervous on motorways.It's just the hundreds of other cars whizzing by at 90 miles an hour, the huge trucks and then those massive confusing roundabouts whenever you need to join a different motorway. I feel quite panicky sometimes (but always stay in control). If I can find a route without motorways I'll definitely take that.

I hate motorway driving and avoid them wherever possible. I get so anxious about huge lorries constantly coming right close up behind then suddenly pulling in and out. If I have a long journey that requires a motorway I try and do it on a Sunday when there are less HGV's around.

I don't avoid any road! I wouldn't say its 'weird' but very limiting.

What would happen if you needed to take DH to A&E or get him home from hospital? Would you still take the slower B roads?

If the most direct route is a motorway, then I would go that way. I would think if someone deliberately avoided them they needed to build their driving confidence. But it's your life and if you're happy not using them then don't.

Wasn’t there some suggestion that smart motorways aren’t safe really?

I don’t avoid motorways but I hate hate hate driving on our local stretch of smart motorways, especially with all three kids in the car. Getting all three out safely even in the slow lane seems insane let alone either of the other lanes. Not sure who in the highways agency has a vendetta against hard shoulders.

This. You shouldn’t be on the road if you can’t handle driving in a motorway.

I've always associated this attitude with older females, so as I become one of those I am very determined not to succumb!

Tbh it's not difficult so far. They are statistically safer ... ie they are in fact safer. I don't worry about subjective stuff.

My mum won't drive on the motorway and it's very limiting for her.

In event of an incident, (hopefully) obviously. I don’t just park on the motorway.

This would just be unbelievably limiting for my lifestyle. But do what you want I guess.

We live literally streets away from our local hospital with an A&E!

I have personally never known anyone who has been involved in an accident on a motorway.

However I know many who have been in accidents on A roads. One of whom died (stationary at lights hit from the rear).

So I don’t have a problem with motorways. Just read the road ahead and be prepared for cars and lorries all around, stay under the speed limit and when some fuckwit nips in front of you in the space you were keeping as a buffer from the car in front, just curse them and recreate a buffer zone.

Have no choice but use it daily, 2 minutes on the motorway saves 40 minutes of driving! I find it odd that anyone finds motorways hard as they are actually easier to drive than around the city (and it's 20mph speed limits, zebra crossings and yes drivers talking on phones)

How slowly are you going if HGVs have to constantly overtake?

I'd say definitely don't use motorways if you are causing this level of disruption to traffic flow.

I use them, there aren’t many where we are.
I drive on them, and through super urbanised areas when I have the chance because I don’t have those roads nearby and I want to always have the confidence to use them.

I absolutely hate the M25 though, and f you’re coming down on say the M1 or A1 from the North it’s obvious when you are near the M25 because most people on it don’t bloody understand the ‘rules’.
Too many people just say doing 50 in the outside lane when lanes 1&2 are empty.
Middle lane Wankers too.
Lol. Everywhere else in the country they’re pretty much ok.

@EllaPaella

I've never had a lorry overtake me, how slow are you going??? I suggest you do a driving revision course if you can't overtake or drive at a suitable speed for conditions

Too many people with covid induced brain fusion /damage.

I think it's good not to put yourself in situations you're not confident in, but equally I sort of think if you're not comfortable driving on a motorway, you probably shouldn't be driving. A motorway really isn't that different to a dual carriageway. Obviously not going to be a popular opinion here.

I think it's interesting that an awful lot of women don't drive on motorways but I've never come across a man who says that. I suppose men are more risk-taking and it seems risky to many women, though statistically I don't believe it is.

Nope. I'm 5 minutes from the M5, so apart from avoiding on Friday afternoons and Saturdays in peak holiday season, use it all the time. Leave space in front, keep an eye on mirrors, anticipate other drivers, and don't be a twat. Long motorway journeys are the best 🚗

I drive a lot for work, and will always use the motorways. Occasionally I will use A roads instead for private mileage, but only because I want a simpler, slower journey.

Okay 🤣

@2bazookas nope, get all the fucking idiots off the motorways.

the standard of driving is absolutely atrocious since the lockdowns. People drive like complete twats as there are so few traffic police.

@chessica I mostly avoid them because of the standard of driving, I know those drivers are then on A/B roads, but they're mostly not going at such speed and I have more options than on the motorway.

im near the M3 & the fucking awful 'smart'part if it. It's not 'smart' but I guess 'lethal' isn't too catchy!

I've been driving since Adam was a boy, happily driving in ice/snow, RHS, mini busses, large truck (permitted on old licenses), It's my competence that's the problem!

Do what you're comfortable with, it doesn't make any difference to random road users!!