Motorway Driving Skills

Our Resident Fleet Driving Instructor Consultant Martin has some great Motorway Skills Advice:

When joining the motorway

When looking to join a motorway, try to build your speed up on the slip road to match the speed of the traffic already on the main carriageway of the motorway. This helps you to make any gaps that are available.

Be careful in the mornings as slip roads can be clogged with traffic and it can be difficult to join the main carriageway of the motorway. You may have to reduce your speed to a crawl.

When leaving the motorway

When leaving the motorway get into the far left lane / appropriate lane for your destination in good time using the mirror signal maneuvre routine.

Most of the time you have to negotiate a roundabout when leaving the motorway, so it is important to know how to approach and leave a roundabout safely.

When changing lanes

When changing lanes remember to use your mirror signal maneuvre routine.

Ideally you wait a few seconds before moving your vehicle, this gives other drivers time to act upon your signal.

Blindspot awareness

Your Blindspots are always there whether you are stationary or on the move.

When checking your Blindspot on the move before you change lane, you have a quick side glance rather than a look over your shoulder which is dangerous.

If you don't check your Blindspot before changing lane you could drive into a vehicle which is driving in your Blindspot area.

Try to avoid driving in other motorists blindspots as they may not see your vehicle when they are changing lane.

Safe stopping distances

When driving on the motorway it is important to remember your safe stopping distances.

Minimum distances from the vehicle in front are 2 seconds in the dry / 4 seconds in the wet / 10 seconds when icy or snow type conditions.

If you know you are going to be driving on the motorway in ice and snow it is advisable to buy winter tyres.

Summer tyres just spin up with acceleration and take forever to stop, so you have no way of knowing where you end up if you have to brake in an emergency.

Winter tyres create a totally different level of control for steering, braking and cornering on ice and snow.

The reason why vehicles get stranded in miles of tailbacks in Winter is because their summer tyres cant grip the road to accelerate and steer safely so traffic comes to a standstill!

Having a break from continuous driving

When driving on the motorway it can be monotonous. The scenery is the same and you can easily switch off and not notice your surrounding environment.

Ideally every 2 hours take a 20 minute break at the services and stretch your legs.

Leaving space from other vehicles

When driving as well as keeping space from the vehicle in front it is important not to drive side by side with vehicles.

If you need to change lanes in an emergency and you are side by side with two vehicles what options would you have in an emergency?

If you would like to gain some extra driving experience on the Motorway we have a special 2 hour motorway course available.