General Chat

Pretty pleased yesterday as I conquered one of my fears and drove for the first time on the motorway, on my own, always been pretty close to a panic attack at the thought of it previously and now feeling pretty liberated. Just wondered if any of you trusted experience people had any tips for Bev the novice when it comes to motorway driving?? x

Hi Bev, if you feeling pretty nervous I would stay in inside lane and try and keep speed up with flow of traffic.Keep an eye out for lane closure signs or slow down signs I drive a lot up and down the M4 and most problems are when the idiots come flying up outside lane ignoring signs then have to bang on brakes. Make sure when getting on you keep your speed up and look for a space, theres nothing worst than your driving along 50 to 60 miles an hour and someone pulled out doing 15 lol. You will get used to it and being I travel a lot at school run times I barley get over 10 miles an hour anyway . suex

I hate motorways, and was advised to go with the flow, NOT to try and stick to the inside lane ( =mind set ''i cant go out there'') because you'll then panic when you do have to, even think you might have to. It can be really intimidating being stuck in the inside lane with a thumping great Artic bearing down on you. if you hate them as much as me, just pretend they dont exist, and go another way, I do, ~ i defy you to name to places, however far apart they are, that you cant get to without sticking to A or B roads Jess

Thanks Sue, is it always easy to get onto the Motorway, do people generally pull over?? x

Thanks Jess, I've always avoided them. Just panicing a bit as I am moving from London and well out of practice. Thing is,I can't find a job in my nearest town so envisaging having to get on the motorway every day as I live next to the M40, just bought a lovely reliable car so I guess that helps. x

Majority will Bev though you will always get some stubborn old goat lol, not forgetting they need a space to pull over into. Think of it as a dual carriageway with an extra lane and if your behind someone poodling along just mirrors overtake like you would do anywhere. I find my worst problem is keeping to 70 , driving along and check your speed many times ive looked down and thought omg hope no cameras about, it creeps up on you ,im sure you will fine and soon you will driving to meets all over the country, suex

Yes, a car that you know will drive you thru, rathr than not have the 'oomph' will help. I always feel I am okay, its everyone elses unpredictability I cant cope with .On an A road I drive at my speed, if you dont like it tough, it is different on a motorway, eveyone else dictates the speed to a large extent

I agree with Jess, But don't stick to the middle lane either. Actually choose the lane that fits in with your speed. Remember, there's nothing like experience. Above all thinkgs keep an eye on your mirrors, it's easy to forget this, but this, too comes with experinece. I remember my 'phobia' was driving down the main street in Newcastle (before the days of motorways) I did it in the early evening when ther e was little traffic, and I lost my fear of that road) You could try driving on motorways in the mid week evenings or Sunday mornings when the traffic is light to build up your confidence Best wishes Anne Anne

Anne I find im constantly checking rear view mirror to see how close that juggernaut is to my tail lol especially when I know theres a hot spot around the next corner and he may not , suex

Thanks for all the encouragement, I guess it's a case of experience and initially combating the fear. I share the same sentiments though Jess; I think it's the unpredictability of the situation and travelling at such fast speeds, maybe a little intimidating. I passed my test 13 years ago! x

Keep your eyes peeled to what's happening way ahead of you. If you see brake lights coming on even half a mile ahead start to slow down. If I see that there is stationary traffic I use my hazard lights to warn following traffic. I prefer to stop leaving a little distance between me and the vehicle in front until I know the vehicle behind me is aware and stopping. That way, if it looks like they are going to hit me I have some room to move. Apart from that, be aware that Motorways can be very boring, so have regular rest stops to save getting tired.

Phew, feeling better that I know there are nice courteous people like yourselves on the motorway!! x

Bev , get out there this am while its quiet, and grampa Jim is sooo right I alway use my hazard lights to warn people behind.suex