To want to scream 'We're all going to die!' when going on a motorway slip road

[housebuyingnewbie]

I've been driving for three years and consider myself a fairly competent driver but the thought of going on a motorway slip road fills me with horror. I was cheerfully ignoring this and going the long way round anytime I needed to do a longer journey but dc1 has been invited to a party next week and my options are:
1 x junction on the motorway (15mins)
1 x single lane country road (30 mins)
1 x big A road (35 mins)
The motorway is a no brainer but how do I get over the fear and fast?!

Pay for some developmental lessons to sort it out.

*comfortably not comfortable. Autocorrect bastarding fail.

The key really is to accelerate as much as possible to join a motorway. thibk of it like overtaking between lanes.

OP I have been driving for over 20 years and feel the same way. I am cowardly and would go via country lanes! Maybe get some extra lessons to combat this from a driving instructor?

Definitely NBU. I still do my mantra of 'shit, shit , shitting hell eeeeee!'

IT does get better. And i used to be TERRRIFED. Pratice makes you less nervous i promise

Indicate, close your eyes and hope for the best!

This is why I always move the fast lane whenever I'm on the motorway and passing a junction!

Yes to be fair the close your eyes and hope for the best advice is terrible!

The key is to think ahead and adapt your speed to the speed of the motorway. Do as you are going down the slip road assess the speed and how you will fit in.

You must never stop at the end of a slip road.

I don't understand this either, people know how it works! In 32 years of driving I've never had an issue with leaving a slip road and merging with traffic. It's just practice. If I am approaching a slip road, I always move over to allow traffic to merge (if it's necessary obviously) and to be honest, so do the rest of the population largely. I would definitely keep doing it at quiet times of the day or late at night. I know somebody who will not drive anywhere except her small town. It's so restrictive and unnecessary and such a pity! She absolutely refuses to even entertain the motorway. OP, you could also book a couple of motorway lessons to help with confidence! Good luck.

I'm in the same boat, i have avoided motorways since passing my test. I've also avoided massive islands and hill starts if i can help it, my husband goes mad at me. I really need to pick my confidence up and get on with it. I know deep down its a matter of practice. Not sure that's helpful but at least know your not alone.

do it in a quieter time and keep practising the longer you leave it the worse u build it up

i know someone who refuses to go on motorways or even major a roads i asked her what was the point of having a car

she said to get to asda

In reality there is never a problem because the cars almost always move over into the middle lane. But I am always worried about what would happen if they don't.

If they don't move they probably can't because of traffic in the outside lane, but a vehicle will then slow down to let you in. Many times I've slowed down to let a car come off a slipway in front of me.

Indicate, close your eyes and hope for the best!

This. Except speed up too.

Although one slip road near me is bendy, it doesn't work quite so well there.

Practice without your dh and dc in the car as they will just make you more anxious or distract you. If you cant do it alone get an instructor for a couple of lessons who will stay calm and guide you through it. Once you've done it a few times with an instructor Im sure it will make a huge difference. Its important you feel calm and competent when performing any manouver in fast moving traffic.

All those saying they've been driving for 12/18 years and never had to stop doesn't mean it doesn't happen occasionally even to competent drivers and will never happen to you. I've been driving over 25 years no claims for over 20 and it happened to me for the first time earlier this year.

It happened that quickly and while I stayed calm and knew there was noone behind me so stopping was ok, I've actually no idea what really happened. I suspect at least one of the 2 x hire company LWB van drivers (who had plenty of room to move into the 2nd lane/or let me slip in between/behind them) were entertaining themselves by speeding up/slowing down to block me. Not ideal I had to stop but still no-one died (apart from my pride).

I was the same, OP! I've been driving over 20 years. I've just realised I haven't thought about it recently so I must have improved a lot. I'm one of those people who dislikes motorway driving generally, though.

I’m not a motorway driver. And would opt for the a-road also.

Brokenwing, yes we had to stop only last week (husband was driving on that occasion).

My instructor told me two things - indicate right as you're coming down the sliproad to help highlight that you're there, and remember that the other drivers want to not hit you as much as you want to not hit them.

Spaces on the motorway are usually much bigger than on a dual carriageway because the traffic is moving faster, its not usually difficult at all to spot your gap and then slightly speed or slow a touch to slot in. Small gaps means slow traffic, just as easy but in a more normal "road" way.

Motorways are the safest roads.

I used to hate them but have got used to driving in them, luckily I live quite far from the motorway so only go on them a couple times a year. The roads here in the countryside are now far more scary.

Maybe have a motorway driving lesson with an instructor to boost your confidence?

Remember you can always stop at the end if you need to, but aim not to

Fucking hell!

YABU to do 70mph on a-roads

I hate the ones on the A roads near me.
I hate driving though but a necessary evil. I feel your pain. Take care