Motorway Driving: Five Ways To Keep Yourself Safe

Motorways are actually the safest roads in the country, but it’s still worth bearing a few things in mind when it comes to safety…

Know Your Lanes

Driving on a motorway, ultimately, is a question of driving in a straight line; you’re not going to be maneuvering (barring lane changes); which is why, statistically, they’re so safe. However, a disturbing amount of otherwise experienced drivers don’t understand how motorway lanes work.

You should always be in the left-hand lane on a motorway, except for when you’re overtaking. Once you’ve overtaken a slower vehicle, you should return to the left-hand lane. The other lanes aren’t meant for continuous driving. Indeed, so-called ‘lane hogging’ can be extremely frustrating for other motorists and can land you with a £100 fine and three penalty points if you’re caught.

Overtake Safely

You’ll likely be overtaking a lot on the motorway (unless you’re happy to trail behind HGVs at 60mph for miles on end). So, knowing how to do it safely is crucial. You’ll want to check your mirrors before changing lanes or overtaking; pay special attention to your side mirrors, and be mindful of blind spots. Only move once you’re confident other vehicles aren’t too close. You should also be aware of other vehicles that may be looking to enter the same lane as you.

Keep your eyes open for any signage that states that a lane is closed or that traffic will soon be merging.

Take Regular Breaks 

Because driving on a motorway is far less engaging than driving on other roads, it can become monotonous during lengthy journeys. This can lead to boredom, a lack of attention and fatigue. As a result, it’s important that you take regular breaks when driving for extended periods on the nation’s motorways. As a general rule, you should stop once every two hours.

During your breaks, have a walk, come high-energy food / drinks and, if necessary, take a power nap.

Understand ‘Smart’ Formats

A significant number of motorways in the UK use a ‘smart’ format. Highly controversial, they’re designed to adapt to different levels of traffic or congestion in real time. Practically speaking, this often means using the hard shoulder as a ‘live’ line when there’s excessive traffic. Some dispense with the hard shoulder altogether. As you might expect, this can (and has) caused serious problems for some motorists when they’ve experienced a breakdown, often finding themselves stranded amongst fast-moving traffic.

Make sure to familiarise yourself with how they work and what specific signs mean; lanes marked with a red ‘x’, for instance, are closed to traffic.

Breakdown Recovery 

No one wants to experience a breakdown, even more so on a motorway. Why? Because the 70 mph speed limit can leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable. In which case, it’s good to prepare for the worst. Do you have an action plan should you car stop working? Who’s your breakdown recovery provider? How do you contact them? These are questions you should have answers to.

When you realise that you car is coming to a stop, or has a fault, put your left indicators on and move into the left-hand lane. Enter the hard shoulder, or emergency refuge areas, and put your hazard warning lights on. Check the surroundings of your vehicle and, when it’s safe to do so, exit the vehicle from the left. If there’s a safety barrier, get behind it. You should then contact National Highways on 0300 123 5000 and then your breakdown provider.

If you’re stuck in a live line, keep your seat belt on, active your warning lights and call 999.

Number Of Elderly Drivers Reaches New Record – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/number-of-elderly-drivers-reaches-new-record/

1 in 2 Motorists Lose Money By Allowing Car Insurance To Auto-Renew – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/1-in-2-motorists-lose-money-by-allowing-car-insurance-to-auto-renew/

The Autoserve Club can save you time, money and stress. Club Members can receive discounts on servicing and new tyres and will gain access to our professional 24/7 helpline. To learn more, contact our friendly Service Advisers on 0121 521 3500 today.

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