How are you with driving on the motorway?

[bumchic]

There are a few journeys locally which are sometimes much quicker if I go in the motorway for a couple of junctions but it’s so unpredictable I always try and avoid it.

BUT I do all the driving on long family journeys including abroad and am fine with it.

My mum on the other hand outright refuses to drive on the motorway and always has. The idea of her driving on a long trip eg when we were kids was absolutely out of the question. I have friends like this now too - they see long journeys as a man’s job.

I prefer driving on motorways to narrow country roads. I hate single track lanes even as a passenger.
When I 1st passed my test (many moons ago), my DM got me 2 motorway lessons, but then totally discouraged me from ever driving on them. She hadn't passed her test until her 40s, and was a generally very anxious person. I don't think she ever drove more than about 3 miles from home, and that was a rarity. DDad would always prefer to avoid motorways too, favouring A roads (for interest). As a result, I was nervous of driving on them. As time went on, i made myself do it (with a friend's help) and got a lot more confident. But lockdown stopped me going far and I became (self) limited to my local (fairly small) motorway stretch. In the last few years, I have consciously made myself drive more and further, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. When I do longer journeys now (1.5 - 2 hours mostly) I do think that if DM was still around, she'd be having conniptions! I am determined to keep going though, and feel better in myself, just knowing I can do it.

However, I do avoid driving around my nearest big city, as its far simpler to use public transport and not have to negotiate traffic/extra arrogant drivers or pay to park.

Nearest motorway to me is only 2 lanes, however I am pretty confident with 3 lanes. Driving is a lifelong skill that needs to be regularly practised, little and often. If you can't cope with doing 70mph, get off the road and let the rest of us drive safely.

I don’t mind most motorways but hate certain sections for example, M6 north of Birmingham. There is so much bad driving and all the middle lane hoggers which make a straightforward journey so much harder

I've always lived within a couple of miles of major motorways and use one every day to get to work - my current home is within 5 miles of 3 major routes. In fact, pretty much every journey we go on unless extremely locally involves a junction or two on there. My DD took lessons on motorway driving and was on there the day after she passed her test.

I drove 200 miles yesterday on several different motorways across/up the country and it is obvious many people aren't confident to do so, and in fact I came across far too many drivers who were dangerous - driving too fast/too slow/not using indicators, middle lane hogging, just so much going on.

If you don't like driving on the motorway please stay off them - keeps the rest of us safer.

I prefer motorway driving.. easier and I’m late 50’s.

i am a passenger princess as much as possible due to physical issues. But when I’m able to dh and I share the driving on long trips. We live in the Home Counties and when we go to Inverness I’ll drive the first leg, which to me is as far as humanly possible without stopping. I usually make it as far as Carlisle or the Borders before I crack and let everyone out for a wee.

Once we are on holiday I don’t drive. Dh prefers to drive and I prefer to navigate.

I used to drive hundreds of miles a week for work and would think nothing of it. Now it leaves me in pain so I prefer not to.

I would rather drive on motorways than along rural lanes with twats that don’t know how to drive on lanes.

I’m happy to drive on motorways overseas but not in U.K. The worst parts are joining the motorway and not being let in and the lane discipline on British motorways with all of the middle lane hoggers.

Motorway driving is much easier. I live rurally and if there's an option to jump on a motorway even if it adds 5 minutes, I'll take it.

Driving on icy windy country roads constantly slowing down to try and see round blind bends is the hardest kind and I like a break from it sometimes.

My neighbour stopped driving on motorways, then stopped (as best possible) trying to use A roads sticking to B roads…. Then she stopped driving altogether which was probably for the best

I prefer it to driving in town. You can only go forwards.

Such interesting replies. Definitely agree you can get out of the habit. When I was on the motorway everyday between 0700-0800 I felt the most safe - everyone on the motorway at that time is on it everyday and knows what they’re doing.

I also learnt to drive in a county with no motorways but three lane A roads v similar and were in every driving test route.

My least favourite driving experiences:

M8 in Glasgow
M62 in rush hour
Bristol city centre
Leeds city centre

I've been driving for over 40 years and I'm perfectly happy on motorways. I use the motorway every day going to and from work, it's no bother.

Love motorway driving. Love most driving. I love the sense of freedom.

When we are on long journeys we stop periodically to change places. I don't much like the way DH drives, so on the whole I prefer to do the motorway bits.

I drove on the motorway everyday for work and have happily driven in motorways since I passed my test over 30 years ago. I drive to Scotland from the midlands 2 months after I passed my test.

I don’t understand people who limit themselves with these ridiculous notions.

I am the main driver and always drive the long distances, motorway or other roads. My OH eyesight is fine to drive but doesn't feel confident in areas we don't know. My sister and a sister-in-law will only drive locally and even then only if they've driven the route before.

Sorry! A few mistakes there.
I drive every day on the motorway, I drove to Scotland.

I was thrown in at the deep end with motorway driving just 3 days after passing my test in 1978. I drew on experiences as a passenger and quickly got used it. I used to much prefer motorway driving but they are so crowded these days that it's no longer a pleasure. Is any driving these days, with all the idiots on the road? I regularly still drive long distances at 68 without worrying, I do stop more these days though.
The key to safe and less stressful motorway driving is observation, planning well ahead and trying to keep space around your vehicle.

Doesn’t bother me. I don’t like driving that much at night anymore though because I find it too glaring.

I hate motorway driving and refuse to do it anymore. I am perfectly safe and happy on other roads. I have driven a lot on motorways when I needed to for work when younger. I had a terrifying journey from newcastle to kent on the A11/M25 in pouring rain and the dark and that was the last straw for me. It's the not being able to stop / get off whenever you want (feeling trapped) for me, combined with suddenly having to change lanes at short notice (if you don't know the roads) and no-one letting you in, people driving too close, not slowing down or speeding up to let you in, pulling out way too close to you etc etc - in short, other people are the main problem, combined with a weird claustrophobic type feeling of being trapped. Either my husband drives (not because he is a man but because he doesn't mind motorway driving whereas I hate it), I take longer routes, or I take the train. I still have my independence, it is not a problem.

I absolutely hate little country roads. Husband hates motorway driving. He usually starts the journey and I finish it off. Mainly because he can’t follow sat nav and I hate navigating. I can drive and follow sat nav without missing the turning 😂

if you have another driver, do you not swap for tiredness on long journeys?

I do it but don't love it. Continually car issues over the past 2 years have really knocked.my confidence. Just the fear of losing power or engine light coming on

There isn't much difference between a dual carriageway and a motorway.

So being willing to drive on one and not the other doesn't really make any sense.

Unless you've got a fear of blue or something.

Having to navigate your way round city centres when the lanes are crowded, you have to do a lot of lane switching and you aren't really that sure in advance of what lane to be in is much more difficult than driving on a motorway.