Driving on motorways - kick my pathetic girly ass, please

[WaitingForGodKnows]

Right.

I have three social events in the next month that I really want to go to, and they are all a motorway away. I hate motorways. I really, really hate 'em. The mere thought of driving on a motorway scares the living crap out of me. especially the M25, where I live it's unavoidable.

But - I do not wish to be a wussy girl any longer. I want to leap into my car and pootle off around the country, using those big fast roads (and stopping at Little Chefs along the way, of course), laughing gaily.

I need to overcome my fear. Tell me how easy it is. Tell me how liberating it is. Kick my lily-white ass and get me driving. Please.

Motorways are a doddle - far easier than driving in town. Just a bit faster. But you can always start off in the slow lane and tootle behind a lorry till you feel more confident. Honest, they are much easier than in town driving.

Get some great music that you like to sing along to and play it loud. Drive calm, singing and laughing all the way.

Go on, you know you can do it.

Message withdrawn

It's pathetic, isn't it? I have been driving for (hem-hem) 15 years and have never once plucked up the courage to drive more than one junction on a motorway.

I think it's the getting on and getting off bit that I don't like. But it does limit me, socially, and it's about time I got a grip, I think.

I regularly do 1.5 hrs journey to family a couple of times a month which includes 1hr of M25 driving.
I can also choose to go on the North Circular but prefer not to as motorway driving really is easier.
Don't be scared. Its no more dangerous than driving around locally so if you can do that....

go with someone the first time! it's quite fun (if it's clear)

I prefer motorway driving too, much easier than normal driving

You all prefer it?? Why am I such a girly weed then?

call a driving instructor and pay to be taken out on a motorway in your own car

its all about practice

the first time is always scary

Honestly they are just big straight(ish) roads and everyone is (normally) going in the same direction - no turns, no roundabouts, they are such a piece of piss compared with city driving.

Just quite fast.

I'm the same,it's not the driving on them that bothers me it's the getting on them in the first place.[truely pathetic emoticon]

I'm not fond of getting onto the motorway, but once you are on, it a piece of p*ss. My SIL used to live in High wycombe and I did all the motorway (M25 and M40) driving to see her. We used to go every 2 weeks.
Honestly its easy.

Waitingfor...I used to be like this and still am to an extent. I remember the first time I went up to see My Mum on the A12 - my knuckles were white from gripping the wheel and my neck painful from sitting so far forward

I know it sounds trite but I'd say:

Practise - each time you do it, it gets better

But on a more practical level:

Leave in good time, so you can sit in the slow lane. I still do this now and it really helps. There's nothing worse than feeling pressured to go faster than you can cope with and having some other impatient driver up your rear end.

Just drive nice and slow and if you feel like speeding up, change lanes, if not - just relax. I used to play music on the motorway to stop me feeling so tense.

Good luck - it does get better, honest.

I haven t driven on British motorways for at least 10 years. They are scarey and too full and fast and you have to make split second decisions whilst doing 70mph. Also I have no sense of direction and fear getting lost. I know London like a cabbie but I only do A roads maximum. Motorway driving is what husbands are for.

I am not a wimp in any other respect.

farking hell

wusses

dully!!

Motorways are great after you've done the first five minutes on them, ime. Then you get into the rhythm of it and it's far easier than town driving - harder to get lost too because of all those handy junction numbers Easier to get on to than most dual carriage ways too as slip roads are much longer and better visibility.

Agree with Twiglett about getting a driving instructor to take you out for the first time. It won't cost a lot just for an hour's lesson and may just give you the confidence boost you need.

Yes, Cod but if I lived in SNoresville like you, I'd probably overcome my fear. I used to do motorways when I lived in Suffolk. But since I live in the centre of civilisation with public transportation, I have grown out of the habit. I hate cars.

Oh and remember, you don't HAVE to do 70mph on them if you don't feel confident at that speed. Start at 50 or so, pootle behind the caravans and the lorries. Build it up slowly (I usually find I start at around 60 then half an hour in I'm having to carefully watch my speed )

And honestly, those who can drive round London should have no fear of motorways

Passed my test a couple of weeks ago and have never drove in either

Now ... the thing I don't do in driving ... is towing. THAT'S hubbies job

agree wth georginaA. I hate getting onto some dual carriageways here cos there is not slipraod to spek of, motorways are far easier. Just make sure you use the slip raod to get up to speed then it is easy. Ihat being stuck behind soem twonk who is doing 40 on the slip raod and trying to merge with traffic doing 70.

aha the londoner flails madly around fo justification

ladies

i did find it scary at first, my dad came with me, keep to the slow lane, you'll soon get fed up with being behind caravans!