Motorway driving - should I do it?

[Jetsmummy123]

Never posted on Mumsnet before so not sure if Chat the best place for this question…

I have never driven on the motorway and am a fearful passenger following an accident (not hurt) several years ago.
I passed my test at 25, am 42 now, and am a confident driver when local, but something about the motor way terrifies me, to the point I won’t drive anywhere locally I am unfamiliar with that might accidentally lead me to one! I guess I would never want to put myself and kids or other road users at risk by not being a confident motor way driver
The issue is that, since having my children, there are places I’d love to take them that I can’t due to this fear. My husband could take us but I work less hours than him, and don’t want to be so restricted on days off/school holidays.
Would it be worth taking motorway lessons? Has anyone overcome this kind of motorway anxiety and gone on to be a confident motor way driver? Thanks

Take some motorway lessons. It is easier to drive on the motorway, a bit boring if anything. But lessons will help you feel confident about it.

Just don't be a middle lane dweller!

Yes, definitely do it. The motorway really isn't that scary. Do you drive on dual carriageways?

They're statistically the safest roads. Get yourself on them and be free. If you can drive on dual carriageways, you can drive on a motorway.

Motorways are safe and efficient; the worst thing about them is that they are dull. They're much safer than country roads/A roads generally. Yes, take some motorway driving lessons; you're hugely restricting yourself for no real reason.

Either get some lessons or maybe start driving on a Sunday morning when they are reasonably quiet to build up your confidence. I know lots of people who don’t like driving on motorways so you are not alone!

I used to hate and avoid motorway driving but it's actually completely fine and safe. I do it all the time now.

My Mum won't drive on a motorway (she's 65) and it can be quite limiting!

Yes, I took 2 lessons on the motorway about 7 years after I started driving and they were really helpful. I have driven on the motorway for years now.

I actually prefer driving on motorways to single carriageway ‘A’ roads. It’s easy to be intimidated by some of the idiots who drive up your backside even when you’re doing 60, because that’s not fast enough for them. On a motorway, you don’t have to worry about the idiots, who will be zooming past at 90 in the fast lane!

I used to be scared of driving on motorways, but like others have said, they're not really any different from driving on dual carriageways. Get yourself a couple of lessons and you'll be fine.

I’m the same OP, will drive on motorways pretty much anywhere but I am not merging onto the m25. I’ll take the long way round.

It's all in your head.

Take some motorway lessons, you'll see it's easy.

book some lessons and as a PP has said, statically motorways are the safest roads. Everyone is travelling in the same direction, normally at the same speed and there are less perils to consider such as push bikes, pedestrians, traffic lights etc. how are you on dual carriage ways?

I agree it's all in your head and I sympathise because I have been exactly the same!

I didn't drive on a motorway for years after my test. But I really wanted to overcome it and be able to. Fortunately there's a dual carriageway near us and I started by driving on that. Once you're used to a dual carriageway, a motorway isn't that different.

I still don't do lots of motorway driving but occasionally make myself because I refuse to set unnecessary limits on myself. It's always completely fine and any worries really are all in my head. I agree with getting a couple of lessons then going early one Sunday morning while it's still light early because it will be quieter.

I took a two hour lesson with my instructor after passing my test, but it was years before I really got confident. Take a lesson then it’s a case of forcing yourself to fairly regularly go on motorways - I have no choice hence having to do it these days (main shops are 8 miles away via m5!)

After I passed my test I lived abroad where the motorway was only ever 2 lanes.

Returning to the U.K. and I had the same anxiety about motorways.

Definitely helps to get some lessons as I’ve since discovered motorway driving is easy - if long and boring roads! I now drive my ds all over the country (he’s a swimmer) and even manage the dreaded M1 with confidence.

I think you have to want to do it like you do though.

Of it turns out not to be for you then stick to A roads and take a longer route. There’s no shame in it

Is your town big enough to have two exits at either end of it ?
Could you have your partner / friend as a passenger and just get on the motorway at one and off at the next .
I did this and it was much better than I thought it would be .

Take some lessons.

It would of course be a lot easier on a motorway if any middle lane hoggers had their licence removed for a lengthy period, but that is not going to happen.

Absolutely do some lessons, I’d rather drive on a motorway than a busy city centre, it’s really limiting to restrict where you’ll drive.

I think as with a lot of things the fear is worse than actually doing it and the more you do it the less scary it is.
I tow a caravan and don't like joining them with it on the back but it's 10 seconds of my journey and the rest is so much easier and quicker done on a motorway than the back roads.
Go out early on a Sunday and just go from one junction to the next and back home.

Definitely do motorway lessons. Personally I find them easier and safer than most other roads. I find twisty, fast A/B roads far less comfortable to drive on, and they statistically are much more dangerous.
Good luck op.

How do you find driving on dual carriageways? Once I realised that motorway driving is pretty similar then I found it fine. I didn’t drive on the motorway for the first 8 years of driving as I was so nervous then had no choice and it was fine, I was quickly confident. Driving lessons for it are a good idea.

I found watching YouTube tutorials on motorway driving really helpful for overcoming my motorway anxiety, explaining the signage, different types of slip roads and also how emergency call stops and hard shoulders work. Good luck! Once you get the hang of it it’s easier than driving around towns!

I don’t drive on motorways either, and don’t really like dual carriageways either. You’re not alone. I find the speed intimidating and nerve wracking (and have had a couple of panic attacks on
our local motorway-like dual carriageways).

As ^^pp have a few motorway lessons
i find the junctions (others joining) a bit of a sticky minute as some belt down the feeder lane and others just force across but basic taxing down is great - no islands and side roads to bother about

There are always threads on this because it’s so common. Unfortunately.

if you’re really nervous, get a lesson or two. If not, just join and stay behind a lorry. Overtake when you’ve gained some confidence. It’s a straight line and you’re meant to stay left. Merge to join, don’t push - same as a dual carriageway.

it really is easy and once you do it you’ll wonder why you put it off.