to have been driving a year on Saturday and have not yet driven on a motorway?

[Oliveoil]

I have refused so far due to lack of confidence and general gibbering at the wheel.

Dr Northerner I learned to drive in Wiltshire

I remember when the Magic Roundabout was built !!

Why a woman thing? I drove on the m'way on my own not long after passing my test. But as I said I was young and fearless then.

I love motorway driving. Far better than driving around town. No traffic lights or stupid people crossing the road a few feet away from a crossing and no stop start, stop start all the time.

You can just go straight and fast! Unless you get in a jam then that's never fun...

YANBU. Motorways are terrifying!

It's the changing lanes that bothers me after even six years of driving. I'm the dull girl in the slow or middle lane, chugging along at 70 mph.

I do think YABU abit because imo if your that frightened of motorways then you really shouldn't be on the road. Sorry, i know i sound like a right cow and i am being one i know but driving is not just about knowing how to drive a car, it's about confidence too. I really recomend you take a motorway driving course or something and build up your confidence. A nervous driver on a motorway can cause serious accidents and even kill people because a nervous driver is more likely to brake suddenly leading to other drivers to react suddenly too.

I really don't mean to sound nasty, i simply fear people who are frightened on motorways. I fear for my life, my familys life and all the inicent people who could be killed. Jeremy Clarkson once said you should never have to brake on a normal flowing motorway. He is right because you should be very aware of whats going on around and in front of you meaning you have enough time to react and change lanes to overtake. That is of coarse unless a nervous driving brakes really suddenly for no reason...

innocent

I agree MsSparkle I think.

One of my biggest bugbears is drivers (and it is usually women and old men in hats) who just sit in the middle lane. It is so dangerous and completely unnecessary. THe only time I get road rage is when the inside lane (it's not the SLOW and FAST lane) is empty as far as the eye can see and some dimwit is tootling along in the middle lane and you have to go all the way around them and back again.....and they STILL stay there...rant,rant...

Oh no you've really got me going now!!!

What do you mean all the way around them and back again? Are they driving very long limos? Is it really such a problem?

I find safe driving is all about anticipating people who speed, weave and have to brake unexpectedly.

I mean that you have to move across 3 lanes and then back to the inside lane which is where everyone should be driving when the motorway is quiet.

And yes, I do think it is a problem as it is dangerous and not the way that motorways are designed to work. As MsS (and Jeremy Clarkson, altho it pains me to agree with him) point out, you shoudn't have to brake when the motorway is running smoothly...

Yes, just get on them.... driving schools do motorway lessons. Maybe that would help? I find them easier than other A roads.

I am scared of slip roads, so i don't think you are being unreasonable but i am a bit ashamed of my fear, it is making me think twice about moving ti a town up the road that has a high school that would really suit my kids- you have to get on and off a really busy dual carriageway near a bend, there are accidents regularly. With me it seems to be that my spatial awareness can cope better with slower moving traffic, I am over-cautious about waiting for a big gap. I forced myself to pass my test at 35 as we live in the country but maybe some drivers are only safe on familiar slow roads and we are safe as long as we understand our limitations. I did manage to drive down the M6 as far as Tebay but that was at 4 in the morning! I am considering motorway lessons but i think its my wiring.

YANBU, but motorway driving is generally really easy driving (joining in the fast lane excepted...).

You will probably find that once you've been on a couple of times, you'll be fine.

An advance lesson would be a good idea.

If you're not fine with it, sobeit. It's not the end of the world. Depending on your lifestyle it could be restrictive, but you've got this far without doing it, so I guess you'll manage.

Although I've been driving for about 15 years, I don't understand this notion that you're not capable if you don't drive (or don't drive on motorways in your case).

Now, if you were to say you refuse to turn right in your car....

(oh, and get DH to stick to his promise - you don't need to be driving round in a big tank!)

I was going to suggest that nervous drivers who can't drive properly are as dangerous as boy racers, but then I don't have a hard hat and it is a bit late to get out the popcorn.

Perhaps the nervous ones are not involved in many accidents but see loads in their rear veiw mirrors.

I hate roundabouts with lights on them, but they don't make me nervous .