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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be afraid of driving on the motorway?

54 replies

CrapDriver · 25/10/2009 20:01

I know this is really daft so please be gentle with me but;

I have promised to take DS to a outdoor adventure thing next week and will have to drive a little way down the A38 to get there.

I have been driving for a year but I'm a really nervous driver and have never driven on a motorway before.

Am I being stupid, I'm really scared. What if I miss my exit?

What if my car dies?

Please help me.

OP posts:
happyjules · 25/10/2009 21:24

With regard to you car check the fluid levels (water, oil, power steering if applicable and screen wash). Make sure you tyres are properly inflated as this helps with the the economy and handling. Get help from friend or neighbour if necessary.

Are you a member of the RAC or similar?

Plan your route well sat nav or good old map (still my choice).

For the actual driving look well ahead, plan you manouver in good time. Remember what you instructor used to say abou mirrors signal manouver, especially the mirrors part. Also, when moving into an outside lane don't forget to check the blind spot.

Stay at a speed that is comfortable for you and don't let the oher muppets on the road intimidate you.

Take some thing to keep children occupid I find sweets work well .

Just out of curiosity which part of the A38 as it's a mighty long road and you can see my house from in cornwall.

HTH. These are just some tips from my many thousands of mile covered over the years in my capacity as a professional capacity and socially with friends and family all over the country, including driving double decker buses til I was eight months pregnany . Good luck

Original poster
CrapDriver · 25/10/2009 21:30

I'm going to Pennywell Farm, just past Buckfastleigh.

OP posts:
happyjules · 25/10/2009 21:44

I know it. It should be well signed, enjoy your day. I'm only in saltash

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 25/10/2009 21:46

i passed my test 3 weeks ago and cant imagine driving on a motorway! im thinking of taking a pass plus course as things like motorway driving are included.

Tortington · 25/10/2009 21:48

so much easier than driving in a town.

if you pass your exit - come off at the next one and go round the roundabout and come back

take your roadside assistance details with you

if the car dies - a nice man comes and gets it

southeastastra · 25/10/2009 21:59

google maps are good too

Ivykaty44 · 25/10/2009 22:07

Can I just add - If in the unlikely event you break down on a motorway

first call the breakdown service and let them know where you are - then get out through the passenger door and get right back away from the car

then get out of the car

On a really busy road or motorway there is no way that the person can hear what you are saying if you are outside on the side of the road or even back up away from the motorway (have been there and tryed this)

southeastastra · 25/10/2009 22:12

it's rare to break down at all these days isn't it

fruitspooksbatsintheeaves · 25/10/2009 22:12

I have broken down on a motorway before. Within minutes we had the police AND the highways agency stop to ask if we needed any help.
You will be fine, have fun!

Claire2301 · 25/10/2009 22:14

To echo everyone else's thoughts- you will be fine. After I passed my test I was very nervous about motorways until I did my pass plus - realised they were fab and much easier than driving round town. Four years on I have today driven from Cambridge to Liverpool and back again (7 hours on several motorway) without a bother Good luck for Tues

Just to follow up on IvyKaty - If for whatever reason you did break down please grab your DS and your mobile and get out of the car, stand well back to the rear of the car (if possible up a bank - definately over the barriers.) You will be able to climb/walk far enough away to call the AA etc and hear. Just get out of the car.

oldraver · 25/10/2009 22:39

Is the A 38 a motorway?

michaelbooblie · 25/10/2009 22:46

Get a set of 'P' plates and put them on the car for the journey.
Other drivers will give you a bit more space.

GhoulishFan · 25/10/2009 22:49

Check mirrors 2 or 3 times before moving out of your current position

Check your blind spot two or three times before moving out of your current position, indicate, mirrors one last time and move - do not lose speed or else the cars behind will be compromised in their positions

Remember stopping distances; should mean you won't need to use your brakes

DO NOT look at the end of your bonnet - focus your vision three or four vehicles ahead; that way you'll know what's happening ahead and be able to plan your moves faster / in time and not have to slam brakes on or anything silly like that (you will still be able to see what's happening immediately infront, by the way - you sort of fluctuate between short and long focus but more long)

Ivykaty44 · 25/10/2009 23:15

No A38 is not a motorway it is a dual carriage way all the way - bar a couple of splats where it is just an A road.

It is a road with very good forward views on what is happening beautiful views - but the camber is slightly odd in places if frosty - which it will not be on Tuesday

Concordia · 25/10/2009 23:26

my car did die on the motorway once years ago, about 14 years ago, i think. I'd only it had a few months and had been driving about four years, on and off. please read as the worst did happen and it wasn't too bad.
i can't remember which lane i was in but i do remember it was 6pm in winter and it was dark and rainy and it was a busy stretch of the M3.
the noise of the car changed and i realised the accelerator pedal wasn't working.
but as i was going at a reasonable speed i had plenty of time to put my hazards on and slip into the hard shoulder. there was an emergency phone nearby - pre mobile phone ownership for me- and i told them i was a 21 year old woman on my own and the AA came within 20 mins. no one ran me over on the hard shoulder (think i stayed in the car, now i would probably get out TBH).
i was just fine and it was no trouble at all and my mum bought me a mobile phone afterwards!
the worst won't happen, but even if it does chances are you will be just fine.

pinkmagic1 · 25/10/2009 23:29

An A road is not a motorway, just normally a dual carriageway and anyway motorways arn't as bad as you think. I ended up on the M1 by accident (took the wrong turn on a roundabout) just a couple of days after passing my test. My heart was in my mouth until I realized all a motorway is, is a dual carriageway with an extra lane. The only bit that really concerns me about motorways is the initial getting on to them.

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 25/10/2009 23:41

so you just treat them as a dual carriageway?but with an extra lane ya?

Ivykaty44 · 25/10/2009 23:43

I broke down on the M5 going north not far after Bristol, the AA were with me within 1 minutes - towed me on a solid bar off the motorway and then popped me straight on a low loader and drove me home - all 90 miles

Even being towed is fine - he told me that woman are far better when it comes to towing as we do what we are told but men are hopeless.

SparklyGothKat · 26/10/2009 00:03

I love motorway driving, much easier than everyday driving. We regularly go from Herts (near London) to Manchester, to see SIL, and I do all the driving as DH's knees can't take the driving. I love it, all A roads and Motorways, all the way up.
It is the initial getting onto the motorway that is the problem but once on, its great, music blasting and its fun.

witcheseve · 26/10/2009 00:08

I've been driving for almost 30 years, OK I live in a rural area, so A roads mostly, but I still shit myself on motorways. No joke it has limited days out etc.

The most I can cope with is around one and a half hours but I still hate it.

I sometimes feel panic attacks starting but trying to overcome it still. I feel your pain.

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 26/10/2009 00:13

sparkly dh says he prefers motorway driving.hes a coach driver and says its easier.

BexieID · 26/10/2009 00:15

I hate the M8 through Glasgow. You get exits on the right hand side as well .

SparklyGothKat · 26/10/2009 00:18

yep its much easier, I just enjoy the open roads, the only thing I don't like is the unlit motorways at night.

Original poster
CrapDriver · 27/10/2009 11:43

We're going on thursday now instead. We're all tired and grumpy today. Dual carriageways I can handle but I don't like them. My car won't go into 4th gear sometimes. Still I often drive on a short one in Torquay without problems.

OP posts:
Fibilou · 27/10/2009 11:56

Stay in the slow lane if you're worried about missing your junction; make sure you know the junction you're leaving at. They give quite a lot of notice so you'll be fine. Motorway driving is a piece of cake if you stay in lane - it's when you start changing lane that it gets a bit tricky.

You'll be with lorries, coaches etc in the slow lane so should be able to go at a nice comfy 50-60 so you won't feel as if you're speeding along. The fast drivers don't go in the left hand lane so you won't need to worry about them. Just remember to keep an eye in your driver door mirror for people in the middle lane.