motorway driving tips

Zaphan58

Zaphan58

Zaphan58

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Ok so this week I will be shooting down the motorway for the first time. Quite a lengthy journey, Leeds to Birmingham and back the same day.

Anyone got any tips for me? What's the general rules? I presume I should always move into the second lane when approaching a slip lane to let the cars from the left gain access to the motorway easier etc?

I don't intend on going fast probably stick to cruising at 60 all the way to be honest, only a 1.2 Clio so it doesn't exactly have much punch behind it. :D
 
Zaphan58 said:
Ok so this week I will be shooting down the motorway for the first time. Quite a lengthy journey, Leeds to Birmingham and back the same day.

Anyone got any tips for me? What's the general rules? I presume I should always move into the second lane when approaching a slip lane to let the cars from the left gain access to the motorway easier etc?

I don't intend on going fast probably stick to cruising at 60 all the way to be honest, only a 1.2 Clio so it doesn't exactly have much punch behind it. :D
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First tip. Don't stick to 60. Lorries overtaking you will not be pleasant. Whilst strictly speaking they are limited. 60 indicated in a clio will be more like 55mph. Not to mention you will cause issues.

Keep with the flow of the majority of the traffic and keep left when not overtaking. You will be fine.
 
Keep left unless overtaking. Be aware that your travelling at high speed, so increase your braking distances and constantly check as far ahead as you can see. Always indicate and check before changing lanes.

Also, stay alert. Motorway driving is pretty boring, so make sure your mind doesn't start to wander too much.
 
Stick to 70 all the time unless you are unable to because of traffic or whatnot, and stay in the left lane unless overtaking or when a car needs to get onto the motorway and theres no room.. i was also warned to make sure that when going up hills to make sure i increase the acceleration to keep the speed up

Pretty easy once you get going ;)
 
Yeah don't stay in the middle or 3rd lanes just because they're clear, they're for over-taking.

Don't assume the guy behind you won't want to make progress just because you're doing 70mph, move over.
 
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Keep left unless overtaking, leave a big gap between the car in front... the last thing you want is to end up someone's backside after they've slammed on the anchors (sometimes, people brake for no reason at all).

Also, always check your blind spot before changing lanes. You don't need to spend 10 seconds checking, just a quick glance over your shoulder. Having someone pull out into your path as you're just about to go past them isn't nice :(
 
Dont try to do a set speed just keep up with traffic
Keep left
Leave space
Expect people to cut infront of you, just get used to it dont get worked up about it
 
Motorway driving made me rpetty nervous when I was learning and first driving. I remember going along at about 60, gripping the wheel tightly in both hands, desperately trying to hold my position in the lane, terrified I was gonna veer off into someone. You get used to high speed driving though; I zoom up and down motorways now, one hand on the wheel and don't feel anxious at all.
 
Does no harm to let HGV drivers know when it's safe for them to turn into the 1st lane either, just a quick flash letting them know their trailer's cleared you.
 
100 all the way in the right hand lane, move into middle lane only when those big German barges start flashing their lights and waving, keep checking bridges and hard shoulder for police, if spotted brake heavily to 70, don't bother checking your mirrors.

* Note: Do not do any of the above, although 20% of people will be driving like this :p
 
- If you see cars coming down an on ramp, or can't see the on ramp, move over and let them on.

- Be aware of people doing the above and give them room to do so.

- Pick a speed and stick to it (not 60).

- Keep an eye on what's behind you, it's as, if not more, important than what's in front of you.

- Move your wing mirrors up a bit before you set off.

- If you venture into the 3rd lane, don't let the BMWs intimidate you, just carry on overtaking at the pace you were driving at until you're past. You have as much right to be there as he does, you pay road tax don't you?

- Be aware when approaching slow moving traffic that people to your left might want to be in your lane, move over if they start indicating.

- If you see cars in the 1st lane doing 70mph, cars and the 2nd lane doing 71mph, and card in the 3rd lane doing 72mph, then there is a police car hidden in front of the cars in the 1st lane.

- The Black and yellow battenbergs can't stop you for speeding, only if they think your car isn't roadworthy.

- Check the following before you set off:
>Tyre pressures (including spare).
>Engine Oil Level.
>Brake fluid Level.
>Engine Coolant level.
>Fuel! You don't want to look as foolish as my brother did this year.

- And so on.
 
As said don't stick to 60 you will make the journey 100x worse. Being stuck between lorries overtaking in a tiny car isn't nice so just keep up with traffic and try to avoid them.

I have an aunt who is scared of motorways so goes slowly, she just doesn't understand that if you do 70 -80 you can avoid all the hassle of lorries overtaking you.

Also overtake quickly do not sit in someones blind spot doing 82 when they are doing 80 as they might just pull out on you.

Again with lorries look for a kerb mirror above the door, if you see it on the drivers side then the lorry is LHD and will have a crap view. Expect them to pull out on you.
 
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Gaverick said:
100 all the way in the right hand lane, move into middle lane only when those big German barges start flashing their lights and waving, keep checking bridges and hard shoulder for police, if spotted brake heavily to 70, don't bother checking your mirrors.
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Only do this if your driving a 3 series :)
 
Look Ahead = As far as you can see
Move your eyes = long, middle and near distance observations
Spot the problem = look for hazards, cars approaching on the slip etc
Keep Space = at least 2 seconds in the dry
Be Seen = position your car so others can see it
 
[TW]Fox;10521478 said:
If travelling over 100 miles in a car with an engine smaller than 1800cc and shorter than 4200mm, use the train :p
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oi, mine did me just fine on saturday. ~300 mile round trip:p
 
[TW]Fox;10521478 said:
If travelling over 100 miles in a car with an engine smaller than 1800cc and shorter than 4200mm, use the train :p
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mines 1764 cc and im fairly sure it's shorter than 4200mm :( did my 650 miles this weekend just fine ;)
 
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