Driving on motorways!

[nonamemummy]

Help!
I’ve been driving a couple of years now and have never gone on the motorway. I’ve booked a weekend away that is 6hrs away, or less than 4hrs if I use motorways.
6 hours is a really long time to be driving so I’m trying to convince myself to just try the motorway, but I am very scared!
Is it really that bad on motorways? I think I’m more scared about merging in when entering, and how fast do cars really go in the left lane? Can I just stay in the left lane? Any advice appreciated

If you've never driven on a motorway, and you're nervous, please book a motorway driving lesson before you think about driving on one!

It is scary the first time. Then less scary every subsequent time.

Stay left as much as possible. Dont do anything without checking blind spots.

If you stay in the left lane and go at lorry speed you might not save as much time as you think though...
(4hrs at 70mph is 280miles. Over 5hrs at 50mph...)

And take a break after a couple of hours.

They are the safest roads on the uk network. Nothing to be remotely afraid of.

It’s not really much different to a dual carriageway/large A road - have you never driven on one of those either? Maybe some refresher lessons are in order.

It’s easy
You’ll be fine

"They are the safest roads on the uk network. Nothing to be remotely afraid of."

Yes - but inexperienced / nervous drivers can make them unsafe. Last time I joined the A1(M) I had an incredibly dangerous experience when a clearly nervous driver in front of me all but pulled to a stop on the slip road.

OP - take a lesson before you go. Or at least find a local dual carriageway and practise joining, lane changing and coming off.

Really don't worry, motorways are easier than busy city centre roads when you get used to them. Have a few trial runs late at night when the motorway is quiet first, so you get used to merging. Then for your journey, avoid rush hour and take it steady.

I used to be scared too, until I got a job that required going on a motorway to get there. Now I prefer them to other roads.

Avoid rush hour, check your blind spots before moving lanes and joining the flow, and yes, it’s fine to pootle along in the left lane, as long as you keep up with the flow of traffic. I do it all the time. You’ll be fine.

Maybe do a practice run joining the motorway late at night when it’s quiet.

I’d agree that a motorway lesson or two would be sensible. They really are simpler and safer than you think, although I understand why you’re nervous.

Slip roads on and off really are quite long, and it is normal for those on the inside lane to adjust speed and accommodate those joining from the slip road.

Once you get used to reading the traffic around you they become easier. I find them far less stressful than smaller, twisting B roads for example.

"Slip roads on and off really are quite long, and it is normal for those on the inside lane to adjust speed and accommodate those joining from the slip road."

• not all slip roads are long! Some are pretty short.

• joining traffic needs to match the speed of the inside lane, not the other way round!

Have you also not driven on dual carriageways? Many of them have merging too. I agree with suggestions from others to get a lesson or two on the motorway. If you are very nervous about it then it is best to have someone tell you how to do it.

It isn't difficult, it's all about adjusting your speed on the slip road to that of the traffic, but you need to have the confidence to do that.

They are incredibly easy to drive join, leave and drive on, however if you’re not confident you could present a danger to other drivers, a lesson with an experienced driver or instructor sounds a good idea.

@MegBusset

"Slip roads on and off really are quite long, and it is normal for those on the inside lane to adjust speed and accommodate those joining from the slip road."

• not all slip roads are long! Some are pretty short.

• joining traffic needs to match the speed of the inside lane, not the other way round!

Agree on your last point, quite worrying it’s thought of as the other way round.

Its not that bad, it's just a matter of confidence.

It's not so much the speed that bothers me its the traffic jams. Depends which route you're on that's a long way to go and not get stuck in a jam. What scares me in jams is people pushing in and cutting over when you're mostly nose to tail. If you find yourself in a jam I'd focus on staying in the one lane and getting though without to much stress.

Stop at the services, stretch your legs, go for a pee. Try not to set yourself time constraints.

As said above, have you driven on dual carriageways? Get some practice on those if not.

Please book some lessons!!

Motorways aren’t scary but they can be boring and it’s easy to let your mind wander which then makes them dangerous. You can just go from left to middle lane as necessary. I rarely drive in the fast lane anymore. Overtaking only

It's no worse than a busy dual carriage that would be classified as a A road. Where I used to live in Essex the A12 was 100% worse than than the M25, as the pot holes made for really dangerous driving. How about a test run on the motorway very early, when it maybe quieter, to build your confidence, if you have one near you ?

You must have driven on fast dual carriageways? It’s not much different as everyone has said. I find them easier because it’s usually easier to navigate. Plan your stops and you’ll be fine.

A few weeks ago I had to pick up my unwell husband from an hour away.
I had driven on a motorway once, 9 years ago
I went early ( it was a bank holiday) and thankfully the roads were quiet. I actually did 7 miles without seeing another car. It wasn't too bad, more mind over matter.
Keep left, concentrate and use your mirrors

You have to guess less at what other people might do than you so on a and B roads. At least the traffic is moving in one direction. Stat aware, keep left, indicate in lots of time, check your blind spot. Motorways are and should work efficiently.

I didn't drive on motorways for years before I decided I was being ridiculous and made myself. To be honest, the worst part is joining on the slip road if the motorway is busy but once you're on it's fine. You just have to concentrate very hard in every direction.

Can you do a few practice runs for short distances before your trip?

If you regularly drive on dual carriageways it really isn’t much different. It’s the arseholes that go too fast and weave in and out of all the traffic that make it dangerous. Tuck behind an HGV in the left lane and keep a steady pace and you’ll be absolutely fine.

Have you driven on a busy a road / dual carriageway? They are a lot like those, but a lesson or two or having someone experienced with you the first couple of times will help a lot. Then like others have said, practice. After both maternity leaves and lockdown I found it a bit nerve wracking and I've been driving for years and loads of motorway driving. They are fast and different so wise to be cautious I think.