Top tips for motorway driving

Our top tips for motorway driving

TL;DR: What do you need to know before getting on the motorway?

Motorway driving can feel daunting (especially if you've never done it), but a few key habits make all the difference:

• Match your speed when joining
• Use your mirrors before overtaking
• Keep a safe following distance using the two-second rule
• Take a break every two hours to avoid fatigue

Tips for driving on the motorway

Motorway driving can feel daunting if you've never done it — and for many, this is the case.

Learners aren't allowed on the motorway without a fully qualified instructor, so many people pass their test without ever setting a wheel on one.

And that gap in experience is often where the anxiety creeps in, leading drivers to hesitate or freeze at exactly the moment they need to stay decisive.

But did you know that motorways are actually some of the safest roads in the UK?

Of all the driving-related fatalities that happen, only 5% occur on the motorway.

When you consider the high speeds, multiple-lane traffic and (sometimes) long distances that make up the motorway experience, you'd probably expect that percentage to be higher.

Knowledge can help ease anxiety. And that can make people safer drivers.

So, let's go through our top tips for driving on the motorway.

Match your speed when joining

We all know this is one of the worst parts of motorway driving; getting onto the road in the first place.

There’s nothing that can bring on a cold sweat more than coming off a slip road in the dark, only able to judge the position of oncoming traffic by the glare of headlights.

But it’s not just your responsibility to ensure a safe joining.

Your fellow drivers play a key part in this too: Those on the motorway will already have had advance warning that they are nearing a slip road.

It is their responsibility to make sure you have both time and space to join the road, by moving into another lane when it’s safe for them to do so.

So don’t be hesitant in your approach. Use your mirrors and try to match the speed of cars already on the motorway, so you don’t disrupt the flow of traffic.

There will be times when other drivers will struggle to let you join — usually during periods of high traffic where they are unable to move across — so do be prepared to slow down if it’s not safe.

Use your mirrors

Your mirrors are there for a reason. Learning to use them correctly is probably one of the first things you were taught by your driving instructor.

But it’s easy to become complacent once we have years of driving experience under our belts. Remember, the old ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’ is a cornerstone of safe driving practice.

And driving on the motorway? 

Using your mirrors correctly is essential to keep on top of the fast-moving traffic around you. This means checking both your wing and rear mirrors (and monitoring your blind spot) regularly.

By keeping an eye on your mirrors, you can get a good idea of the volume of traffic building up behind you.

Overtake safely

Don’t overtake unless you can do so safely.

You must always check your mirrors first, before you do anything else. Stay vigilant and look for a gap in the traffic to your right.

If there is one, look over your shoulder before you move — there may be a vehicle lurking in your blind spot.

When it’s safe and clear to move into the space, indicate that you are changing lanes and move out carefully.

While undertaking is technically legal, it can be very dangerous, so you should avoid it. Undertaking outside of heavy congestion, when every lane is moving slowly, can lead to the police prosecuting you for careless or dangerous driving. It's tempting prospect if you encounter a middle-lane hogger, but it's not worth it. 

Take regular breaks

The signs on the edge of the motorway reminding us to take a break aren’t there for laughs.

Fatigue is real. And it kills.

While many of us like to think it’s not going to affect us, tiredness and exhaustion can have a huge impact on our ability to drive safely. It’s not something that can be sorted with a cup of coffee or a quick chug of an energy drink.

Even if you feel fine when you start your journey, the chances are you won’t feel so fresh after a few hours of driving.

Taking a break every two hours is a good rule to set yourself.

15 minutes at a service station for a quick walk around and some fresh air should be sufficient, without adding much time on to your journey. 

And if you happen to treat yourself to a fancy coffee while strolling around the service station, we won't tell anyone. The key thing is that a change of scenery and a chance to stretch your legs will keep you refreshed.

Keep your distance

Keeping your distance from the car in front is a crucial part of safe driving.

Tailgating regularly tops the list of things drivers find most annoying, unpleasant and dangerous on the road.

The Highway Code states that at 70mph, you need a minimum of 96 metres to come to a stop — and that relies on you being alert and able to react immediately to any hazard ahead.

Any distraction compromises that ability, meaning you'll continue travelling towards the problem at more than 60 metres per second.

The two-second rule is a useful guide because it's time-based rather than distance-based, so it automatically adjusts to your speed rather than requiring you to calculate distances on the go.

But what is the two-second rule? Allow the car in front to pass a fixed object, like a road sign, then count to two seconds. If you pass that same marker before reaching two seconds, you're too close and need to drop back.

Safe distance: The essentials

• Use the two-second rule as your baseline — pick a fixed point, like a road sign, and count from when the car ahead passes it to when you do
• Double it in wet weather. Two seconds becomes four — reduced visibility makes hazards harder to spot, and wet roads mean less tyre grip and longer stopping distances, regardless of how good your brakes are
• Check your seating position. A seat that's too far forward or too far back can compromise how hard and how quickly you can brake
• Look beyond the car directly ahead. Spotting hazards further up the road earlier gives you more time to react and brake safely
• Leave extra room if you're being tailgated, so you can lose speed gradually rather than braking sharply

Use your car safety features

The modern car is a wonder, with so many new safety features designed to assist you on the road.

And car leasing makes getting behind the wheel of newer, safer models with active safety features built in more accessible. 

Head-up displays, traction control and visibility aids are just some of the clever features which can be included with your car.

While we would never suggest that these safety features are a replacement for your own vigilance on the road, it never hurts to take advantage of them either.

And there are certain features which are particularly well-suited for motorway driving, like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping technology.

Knowing what features you have available and how to use them may bring you some peace of mind as you approach the motorway.

And it might just make your journey safer and more comfortable too. 

Drive with confidence

Finally, the most important piece of advice — and sometimes, admittedly the hardest to follow — is to trust in your driving skills.

As we mentioned earlier, motorways are some of the safest roads in the UK. It’s our fear of the unknown elements we may encounter on our journey that makes us wary of driving on them.

But by brushing up on safety essentials taught to you in your driving lessons and keeping the above tips in mind, you’ll be well equipped to deal with any bumps on the road (figuratively, not literally).

And by the time you reach your destination, you’ll be wondering what you were feeling so anxious about.

Motorway confidence: Sorted

Motorway driving doesn't need to be daunting once you know what to expect.

Match your speed when joining, keep your mirrors in check, leave enough distance, and take regular breaks — and the rest becomes second nature.

Remember, motorways are some of the safest roads in the UK for a reason.

With a bit of confidence and the right habits, you'll be cruising along without a second thought.