|
|
|
|
|
Driving on motorways is different from ‘normal’ driving. But learner drivers are not allowed to drive on motorways, so it can’t be included in the DSA driving test. Many people don’t practise it at all, and some people actively avoid motorways because they are not confident to drive on them.
Motorways are, statistically, the safest roads. There are no junctions, crossroads, roundabouts or lay-bys; there are no learner drivers, cyclists, pedestrians or very slow vehicles; all traffic joins and leaves via well-signposted slip roads. On the other hand, motorway traffic moves very quickly and if anything goes seriously wrong the outcome can be horrendous – hence the frequent press, radio and TV reports of motorway ‘pile-ups’. Roadcraft devotes a whole chapter to motorway driving, and it is also well covered in the Roadcraft video. The following is a summary of the main points in Roadcraft Chapter 10.
Special features of motorways
You need to prepare adequately before you join a motorway. These are the special conditions you should consider:
the speed and volume of the motorway traffic
the limited occurrence of refreshment and refuelling areas
the dangers of stopping on the hard shoulder
the level of attention required
the legal limitations on certain vehicles using the motorway.
Each of these affects your safety. High speeds mean that hazardous situations develop quickly and that you travel further before you can react. Minimum stopping distances are greatly extended and collisions often cause serious injury and damage. As the volume of traffic increases, the demands on your attention and decision-making also increase. With more vehicles there are more hazards and fewer opportunities for manoeuvre.
You need to maintain a high level of attention, which is difficult in monotonous conditions. Fatigue is a real problem and you should always plan adequate rest breaks. The limited opportunities for stopping on motorways require drivers to be in good health and their vehicles in good condition. The risk of collision makes stopping on the hard shoulder extremely hazardous for the occupants of a stationary vehicle and for other road users.
Joining the motorway
Use the system of car control to approach and join at a slip-road or where motorways merge.
Observe the traffic flow on the motorway and plan your approach. Skilful use of the system should enable you to join the motorway without causing other drivers to alter course or speed. Drivers on the motorway have priority and may not be able to move over to allow you to enter, but with early vision, planning and acceleration sense you should be able to merge safely. Be especially careful on a multi-lane slip-road.
Lane discipline
There are no slow or fast lanes. Motorway lanes are numbered from the nearside: the nearside lane is lane 1 and the other lanes are numbered in sequence to the furthest offside lane. On a three-lane motorway, the lane next to the central reservation is lane 3.
Good lane discipline is essential for motorway driving. Overtake only to your right, except when traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are. Do not move to a lane on your left to overtake.
Overtaking
Before overtaking be alert for slower vehicles moving out in front of you, and faster vehicles coming up behind you. Apply the system of car control to overtake safely, and pay special attention to the information phase. Consider giving an indicator signal before changing lanes. Let the indicator flash long enough for other drivers to see and react to it.
Leaving the motorway
Know well in advance at which junction you intend to leave, and plan your exit carefully. There are normally exit signs one mile and half a mile from the exit, and another one at the start of the exit slip-road. In busy conditions, move into lane 1 sooner rather than later; aim to be in lane 1 by the time you pass the half-mile sign. Generally you should start to indicate left as you approach the three-hundred yard marker post, and if it would benefit other drivers you should indicate well before. Don’t reduce speed until you enter the slip-road (deceleration lane), unless traffic in front causes you to do so. On busy motorways be alert for vehicles attempting to leave the motorway late from the second or third lane and cutting across your path.
The Basic Safety Rule
Safe driving depends on the basic rule: always drive so that you are able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. This will vary with traffic density, weather conditions and other hazards. If everyone followed this advice systematically, motorway pileups would not occur.