Encouragement needed, today I am driving on a motorway alone.......

[DrNortherner]

For the first time. Well I'll have ds with me, but dh can't come as he is working.

I have my route, but I feel really anxious.

Yes you can do this...

You can always stop off at the services if you want to check your route or need a break...

Good luck, although I am sure you don't need luck...

You're be fine, i know how you feel my dh takes the micky out of me as i spend every 5 mins in the loo before i have to drive anywhere i don't know and i have been driving for about 15years.

I would suggest you have some of your favorite music ( and children) and relax.

oh , i feel for you!! i do not like motorway driving, not at all, i often end up going back to Mch, on the east lancs road, so i can avoid the motorway !!

where you going from and to?

You CAN do this! I used to be as wary/scared as you until I found out that my new job/house combo meant a commute along M25 of 96 miles each way!!! I soon stopped being nervous and just wanted a faster car lol!

You can do it Northerner. It's easier than driving anywhere else as you will be driving on the highest standard roads built in the UK.
(Also, it's Saturday so there will be less HGVs!)

yes you can. maintain a good speed. round the speed limit or you will have lots of people passing you in the right lane which will make you feel even more nervous as like me, you'd probably be thinking, i really need to pull out and overtake this wagon.

speaking about wagons, when you are behind one, make sure you can see his wing mirrors. it means he can see you.

from that far back (yes it is quite far back) check your wing mirrors and start to overtake him. maintain your speed when overtaking.

sorry if all preachy. i got my licence one week and began driving 30 miles to work the next down the A1.

lulu I'm driving from Harrogate to MIddlesbrough, so A1 then A19.m It's just over an hour, so not too bad.

Thanks guys

Ahhh good luck. I did my first lone motorway experience (apart from once over 10 years ago) when I was 7 months pg with DS. I was really nervous and couldn't sleep properly the night before. It was fab though, I really enjoyed it and find it easier than when DH is in the car as I don't feel pressure to overtake the slow caravans etc if I am not ready, can just cruise along slowly. How far do you have to go?

A19 is a good road to travel as it is not as busy as the A!. But you also are coming along that lovely new stretch of the A1. where it now has 3 carraiges. i am 20 mins north of middlesborough so if you miss it, stop in and i'll make you a cuppa.

let us know how you get on, make sure your mobile is charged and your hands free is set up!

Will do kiskidee!!

DrNorthener - I really sympathise. Motorways are not my favourite places, if I had my way it would be back to the horse and cart for everyone!
My fil is a retired policeman and told me a while ago that the main thing is to keep your distance as much as you can so this gives you the longest time frame to concentrate/react or make decisions about slowing down/speeding up/overtaking etc.
i find overtaking my biggest block but have since tried changing my attitude to my fear by thinking of my childrens laughter when i do. strange but it helps

DrNorthener, you have my sympathy! I usually leave the motorway driving to DH but he's ill at the moment and can't drive. I have to drive him to hospital every three weeks using the A1 and M25 in rush hour. I felt really sick the first trip, I was so nervous. I've done it three times now and it does get easier. Last week I had to do the Dartford Crossing with toll booths as well and that wasn't much fun. You will feel really proud of yourself when you've done it, though. Good luck!

you will be fine!! I tootle up and down the mways all the time - it is the anticipation which is worse - saturday out of rush hour will be better than 5.00 pm on a Friday

You can do it! If you often get nervous about motorways, it might be worth having a motorway lesson, even if you've been driving for a long time. I was terrified of motorways, and a motorway lesson really helped my confidence. Let us know how you get on!

Well guys I did it and it was totally fine. Can even say I sort of enjoyed it!!!

Thanks for the kind words.

Well done! I always feel on a bit of a high once I have done some fast motorway driving. Glad it all went ok .