Motoway Tips

lordrobs · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:41

Firstly let me point out this what I do but I'm not recommending it for others.

If I feel like my mind is wandering a bit I find that driving just a bit quicker than the general flow of traffic helps to keep me alert due to overtaking other traffic every so often. I find that if I just sit behind something and play follow the leader I get those worrying "damn did I just cover another 5 miles? How did that happen?!" moments.

Charlie Bravo · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:47

Lopéz said:
Same here, it got drummed into me on my CBT (which I did with a friend of my Dad's, so he emphasised it even more) to ALWAYS check my blind spot before wanging out into the other lane.

Always done it ever since, it literally is a "Lifesaver" (which is what the instructors call it)

Funny how all of us that have said about looking over your shoulder all hold a bike license. :cool:

megakid · 13 Apr 2006 at 19:30

I have done the blind spot check ever since I started driving on the motorway.

On one of my first M25 ventures I was lazy and didnt check it - there was a black astra in my blind spot but luckily for me, he was aware and I had indicated well before I moved slowly across. I literally jumped when I saw him so close behind me in my rear-view mirror. I waved sorry and carried on my way gingerly. Never again will I not check it!

Vertigo · 13 Apr 2006 at 20:20

merlin said:
Not even to re-fuel?

At 60mph (granted I rarely drive at that speed on motorways) I can go for over 12 hours on one tank.

Freefaller · 13 Apr 2006 at 20:46

Charlie Bravo said:
Funny how all of us that have said about looking over your shoulder all hold a bike license.

Yup. It's also sad and distressing. :/ I hate the "I didn't see you" thing.

Pug · 13 Apr 2006 at 21:21

Lopéz said:
Same here, it got drummed into me on my CBT (which I did with a friend of my Dad's, so he emphasised it even more) to ALWAYS check my blind spot before wanging out into the other lane.

Always done it ever since, it literally is a "Lifesaver" (which is what the instructors call it)

sure that wasnt the look over your left shoulder on the inside prior to turning left?

Thats what it was referred to in all my bike training anyway. The right shoulder traffic check was a rear obs.

Either way semantics, when i'm my bike the mirrors are useless they give me a lovely view of my elbow armour, and thats about it, rear obs is a MUST.

Duke · 13 Apr 2006 at 21:30

big_white_dog84 said:
or the fast (sports car) lane

I think you'll find it's called the BMW lane :mad:

agw_01 · 13 Apr 2006 at 21:52

Charlie Bravo said:
Funny how all of us that have said about looking over your shoulder all hold a bike license.

Not me

penski · 13 Apr 2006 at 22:00

Always assume that EVERYONE WILL TRY AND KILL YOU OR AT THE VERY LEAST DRIVE INTO YOU.

*n

whitecrook · 14 Apr 2006 at 00:25

looks like it's already been mentioned but for good measure, Always check you blind spot before changing lane.

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2006 at 00:37

Bar said:
Rest as and when you need it.

Poor advice. Most of the time when you are tired you don't actually realise it, you can feel fine, but that doesn't mean your reactions are good as they would be if you stopped, had a break, had a coffee, then set off again.

Ultra_Extreme · 14 Apr 2006 at 00:42

Watch ppls indicators, 99% of actual bad drivers do infact indicate, im not talking about idiot boy-racers or arrogant 30 year old bussinessmen in their beemers, im talking about bloody middle aged women, old people in rover metro's and those bigger ones that look like X-types, also stupid ass teenage and twentysomethings women. All these people indicate perfectly, just like they are sposed to. Only problem being they dont frigging look before they move, they have indicated, therefore they must somehow have cleared the lane they want to move into and can go back to thinking about ironing/death/bingo/boys/bubblegum/nothing.

Be warned!

Also watch for...

Trucks changing lane, although they often can see very well.
Speed cameras

People driving in an odd manner, veering, braking innappropriately etc Get far away!
General odd traffic behaviour, THINK! If people are all moving slow ask yourself 'WHY?'

digitalwolf · 14 Apr 2006 at 00:50

I drove to Dorset a couple of weeks ago, not far off 200 miles. A good experience for me though, as I only really travel 20-30 miles at the most. I feel my driving is progressing steadily considering I passed 4 months ago!.

It physically and mentally drained me, good job I was staying overnight!!!

I did 2 pit stops, just to circulation in my legs lol.

DTL ----------> Don't Trust Lorry's!! (They like to pull out on you when you are next to them

)

lordrobs · 14 Apr 2006 at 01:05

Charlie Bravo said:
Funny how all of us that have said about looking over your shoulder all hold a bike license.

Yeah bikers are very tuned into a cars blind spot, hence how they manage to get their bike in it and keep it there for no apparent reason. They are like the ninja's of the road

penski · 14 Apr 2006 at 07:41

Oh yeah - keep at least one lane between you and any foreign lorry.

If it's big and LHD, he won't see you overtaking.

*n

cyclopopcicle · 14 Apr 2006 at 07:51

Charlie Bravo said:
Don't use your mirrors before you pull into another lane.... look over your shoulder and have a proper look.

sort of right and sort of wrong

use mirrors and the look over your shoulder
mirrors to gauge and shoulder to make sure
make proper use of the interior mirror, what ever it is you are passing make sure you can see the front of it in this mirror and it should give you about 5-6 car lenths behind you then shoulder check before coming back in

Scania · 15 Apr 2006 at 10:46

Ultra_Extreme said:
Also watch for...

Trucks changing lane, although they often can see very well.
Speed cameras
People driving in an odd manner, veering, braking innappropriately etc Get far away!
General odd traffic behaviour, THINK! If people are all moving slow ask yourself 'WHY?'

Good advice, but, remember, many trucks have a great view ahead, not so good behind - many large blind spots in their mirrors.

digitalwolf said:
DTL ----------> Don't Trust Lorry's!! (They like to pull out on you when you are next to them )

No mate, we don't (in the main) like to do this, its just very easy for the reason I gave above.

Expect the un-expected, if you can's see ahead (round a sweeping bend, or, over the brow of a hill) SLOW DOWN.

Don't lane hog, and remember to keep alert and observant.

Stop every 2 hours max, for a break, even if its just to "water a plant"

PMKeates · 15 Apr 2006 at 11:06

1. ALWAYS drive in the central lanes of a 3+ lane motorway. This ensures that everyone sees you, and reduces the need to dangerously overtake lorries travelling at 56mph.

2. ALWAYS join the motorway at a pace below 50mph. This will ensure people have to move over to avoid driving in to the side of you and thus make your entrance on to the motorway much safer.

3. Remember your driving lessons - MOVE-SIGNAL-MIRROR. Also, do not move your head away from dead straight when driving. People will assume you are dangerous and attempt to ram you.

4. Travel as close to the driver in front as possible. He will appreciate your concern for the environment, and will happily accept you in to his slipstream to reduce your fuel consumption, and perhaps his from the odd nudge on his bumper.

I will add more useful tips as time goes on, but I think these four would get anyone started on a motorway driving career.

Please invert the above

triggerthat · 15 Apr 2006 at 21:28

lol.

Would you recommend driving on the motoway considering I've been driving for a month now? (driving everyday in london and using the A3 quite a lot).