Despite driving many miles on A-roads and dual carriageways I don't use the motorway network much - maybe 4-5 times per year. After using it last time I came off it a bit tired and shaken, and I would appreciate your input to make it a bit easier for me nex time.

So, what I know is:

Use the left lane if clear.

Check mirrors and blind spot before changing lanes.

Keep a fair distance from the car in front.

My last journey on the M1 consisted of:

I used the inside wherever possible and my speed was around 65-70mph (genuine), but when I caught up with a slower lorry I used the middle lane. This is where I had problems - with only 2-3 blinks of the indicator coaches and lorries swung out from the inside lane onto me:eek:. They gave no prior warning - just indicate and swing all in one go! Twice I had to brake to allow them in. The outside lane was travelling at high speed so that was not an option as cars were coming up fast behind.

Then I passed a lighted sign on both sides of the road saying "40" so I slowed down gradually to this speed only to find lorries thundering up behind me, passing and swerving back infront of me. I was very worried I was going to be rammed actually. After several miles of this I gave up and went over 40 and found that there was no 'end of restriction' signs lit, nor any obstruction. What are you supposed to do when passing these signs - ignore them?

I concluded that the motorway was bad for my health, but there must be a way to approch these issues - and any ideas would be appreciated.

TH

Solution: Don't use the motorways, use the adjacent A and B roads, and enjoy the drive.

The key to motorway driving is forward planning. Keep left as much as is practical, and the unwritten rule is never be slower than the lorries as it causes hell.

If you are travelling at 70mph there is no problem in using lane 3 if there is an obstruction in your lane (i.e. a coach or lorry pulling out on you) but try not to hold up the flow of traffic. Perform your overtake and move back in, and if you think you've annoyed someone then thank them for their cooperation or apoloigise with a wave.

The thing is you'll have to drive for everyone else, it's much better to know what they're going to do before they know it themselves, that way you can put yourself in the correct position to make sure you're not in their way and they're not in yours

Thank you - some good advice already!

Hopefully not teaching you to suck eggs, but here are a few thoughts

I think you've got a good idea of what you need to do. One of the key things is to keep a safety bubble around you so that you always have an escape route if you need it. This is easy in lanes 1 and 3 as you have the hard shoulder/dead ground, but in lane 2 options are more limited. For example, try and time any overtakes in lane 2 so that you are not the "meat in the sandwich" between vehicles in lane 1 and lane 3. Not always easy, but it helps to keep your options open. I also try and develop a gap in front to accelerate through as well which minimises my time alongside vehicles in lane and specifically the time I spend in their blind spots.

Another thing is to use observation and look as far ahead as you can see. Patterns will start to emerge and you'll notice vehicles closing on other vehicles and you'll be able to predict that they'll move out and overtake and accommodate them rather than being surprised by them. Do vehicles you're overtaking know you're there? I'd assume not unless you get a positive signal from them and remember that HGVs tend to have quite big blindspots, especially left hand drive ones, so worth having a glance at the licence plate/rear of the truck as you approach for any clues as to if it's foreign or not.

Another tip which works well is to move out to overtake early, especially on something big like an HGV, as this will give you a better view down lane 1 than you'll have sat behind the lorry and also allow you to see whether the lorry is likely to stay put or overtake. Similar to the single carriageway overtake, you're delaying the point at which you commit until you have all the information. Sitting in a position where you can see his mirrors will also give him the best chance of seeing you and sometime you can see the chap looking in the mirror as well. I'd also recommend if you use signals when changing lanes to allow them to stay on for 4 or 5 flashes and have a look around you for responses/acknowledgement before committing to the manouevre. I'd also recommend a shoulder check to cover your blindspot and lane 3 to see if any traffic is intending to (or is!) moving from lane 3 to lane 2.

The speed signs on the matrix boards are advisory and are intended to slow traffic down to prevent queues building up further along the road. I think in most cases it's safer to use them as "there is likely to be an issue up ahead" than slowing to that speed. Most drivers will ignore them and you're potentially putting yourself in more danger by heeding them! If they have a red ring around them, then they are mandatory and should be observed.

Chris

My tips for you

I find on Motorways I use my rear mirrors (all of them) lots more than on other roads

and if you always expect others to pull out on you, without any warning :eek:

then if it does happen, you are ready to react

HTH

Edited 25 June, 200917 yr by inexeng
typo

The speed signs on the matrix boards are advisory and are intended to slow traffic down to prevent queues building up further along the road.

If they have a red ring around them, then they are mandatory and should be observed.

Chris

I have learnt something new...interesting thread

I used the inside wherever possible and my speed was around 65-70mph (genuine), but when I caught up with a slower lorry I used the middle lane. This is where I had problems - with only 2-3 blinks of the indicator coaches and lorries swung out from the inside lane onto me:eek:. They gave no prior warning - just indicate and swing all in one go! Twice I had to brake to allow them in. The outside lane was travelling at high speed so that was not an option as cars were coming up fast behind.

The trick is to watch what *they* are approaching, and to adjust to watching the traffic further ahead. After A while you can predict when they are about to go. One more thing- I've found that 65-70 is actually a hard speed to maintain- or at least means a lot of anticipation. You're travelling faster than the trucks (limited to 56), but slower than many cars. This means you catch the trucks quite slowly, then have problems getting out into L2 if the traffic is faster, and, as you're not closing on other L1 traffic that quickly, they take liberties and pull out. As you say, you've got no chance in L3 as it's moving at 80-90. Mind, if you're driving the vRS, a quick squeeze of the throttle there will help.

Then I passed a lighted sign on both sides of the road saying "40" so I slowed down gradually to this speed only to find lorries thundering up behind me, passing and swerving back infront of me. I was very worried I was going to be rammed actually. After several miles of this I gave up and went over 40 and found that there was no 'end of restriction' signs lit, nor any obstruction. What are you supposed to do when passing these signs - ignore them?

TH

Treat then only as a warning that something may have happened ahead and use extra caution, maybe slow a little, but not as far as 40.

Solution: Don't use the motorways, use the adjacent A and B roads, and enjoy the drive.

Now there's a thing, I avoid A roads because I always seem to get caught up behind a dawdler with no overtaking opportunity, and I get bored.

Mind you, I commute on the (very busy) M5 each day, so I'm probably just used to the motorway. Lots of people find it daunting because of the speeds and density- I had someone almost stop at the end of a sliproad the other day- but it's generally a question of going with the flow (i.e: fast enough) looking far enough ahead/behind, and matching speeds as much as possible. It's harder in something lower powered- but still possible.

Edited 25 June, 200917 yr by cjb

The "3-flash chop" is quite common, IME more so in the "Home Counties" and around Barmyhum than elsewhere. The best advice I have is to keep observing, and be prepared to chop lanes yourself if you have to.

I was under the impression that all matrix sign speed limits were mandatory though?

Outside lane, lights and fogs on, and settle into a steady 100+mph cruise with all the Audi's and Beemers

Seriously though the lack of any "real" input during motorway driving means people tend to switch off and drop into autopilot - i know i do on occasions!

Even though you know what you're doing, be wary of everyone else as they could do ANYTHING and it may not be 100% sensible!

Try to be as considerate as possible but don't be afraid to hold people up if you feel you have no choice, ie you have to dive out the way of a lorry/bus! - people'll get over it!

I was under the impression that all matrix sign speed limits were mandatory though?

More details in http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Signsandmarkings/index.htm?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=95047&Rendition=Web

Unless they have a red ring around them, ie like the variable speed limits on the M25, they're just advisory. Of course, if you have an accident while disregarding an advisory, you may well be landed with driving without due care and attention....

Chris

Seriously though the lack of any "real" input during motorway driving means people tend to switch off and drop into autopilot - i know i do on occasions!

Then you're not driving fast enough

Of course, if you have an accident while disregarding an advisory, you may well be landed with driving without due care and attention....

Chris

One of the problems around here is the matrix signs are over-used and often wrong, so they are routinely ignored. Basically, some of them seem to be on a timer to come on at 4pm....

100mph outside lane no lights on at all and you save wear on the indicators;)

One of the problems around here is the matrix signs are over-used and often wrong, so they are routinely ignored. Basically, some of them seem to be on a timer to come on at 4pm....

Is that on the M42? It's surely not on the M6, where you'd be doing well to reach a sustained 50!

More details in http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Signsandmarkings/index.htm?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=95047&Rendition=Web

Unless they have a red ring around them, ie like the variable speed limits on the M25, they're just advisory. Of course, if you have an accident while disregarding an advisory, you may well be landed with driving without due care and attention....

Chris

Ah; mis-reporting in the last stuff I saw on the subject.

Is that on the M42? It's surely not on the M6, where you'd be doing well to reach a sustained 50!

M5 from 2-M6, M6 from 6-10 and 10-6. A good proportion of the M42 near here has the variable speed traffic managment stuff now.

M5 from 2-M6, M6 from 6-10 and 10-6. A good proportion of the M42 near here has the variable speed traffic managment stuff now.

Ah right, I've seen the top of the M5 Northbound get a bit choked too.

I drive 40-50k miles per year and have done for at least 15 years, most of it on motorways.

In my experience;

Most people believe that once they have flashed their indicators they have the right to move wherever they want to.

Most people believe that they have the right to be in the fast lane and that everyone else is in thier way.

Generally, stick to what speed you feel comfortable with, leave plenty of space, Move past lorries as soon as possible, keep particular attention on foreign vehicles and always always be aware of whats around you ON ALL SIDES AT ALL TIMES particularly when the traffic ahead is slowing down. As one of the comments above states when the traffic slows, always have an exit route or space in which to move quickly should the traffic behind you look unlikely to stop in time (speaking from experience !!)

But remember, motorways have a far far lower fatal accident rate than normal roads.

More details in http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/Signsandmarkings/index.htm?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=95047&Rendition=Web

Unless they have a red ring around them, ie like the variable speed limits on the M25, they're just advisory. Of course, if you have an accident while disregarding an advisory, you may well be landed with driving without due care and attention....

Chris

i was just about to point that one out as we dont want members here going around the m25 and then getting speeding tickets through the sw section

M5 from 2-M6, M6 from 6-10 and 10-6. A good proportion of the M42 near here has the variable speed traffic managment stuff now.

All with speed cameras auto adjusted by the matrix setting.

Driving all day on motorways the carefull plod alongs are just as dangerous as middle lane hoggers and excessive speeders.

As has been said you need to establish a bubble and react accordingly to those around you. You also need to be concentrating more than whats infront/behind/beside you. You should be looking much further ahead and behind. This will prepare you and make others actions less of a surprise to you.

You dont need to be in a truck or 4x4 to do this like some members of society think. If you cant do it in a car given good visibility, they perhaps you shouldnt have a license (not you tailhappy, I mean those that must have high driving position).

My m'way mileage has tripled of late, and afcb has it nailed IMHO . Awareness is key. Allows you to adjust speed accordingly without too much stress.

I did manchester to grange over sands a lot recently, about 116 miles. And by looking further ahead and more around me each time, I've had less stressful and quicker journey times.

YMMV, of course!

ive sat in the inside lane on a dual carraigeway today in my lorry with my right indicator on to pull out, a black polo leaves me gap and as i start pulling out she quickly speeds into the space even through the traffic isnt moving much faster than me. Why do drivers have to do everything to get round/by a lorry?? next car gave me a friendly flash and got a big hand up to say thanks once i moved back to lane one and he went by.

Why do drivers have to do everything to get round/by a lorry?? next car gave me a friendly flash and got a big hand up to say thanks once i moved back to lane one and he went by.

Because some people think no further than the end of the bonnet. It's like the people that at a merge in heavy traffic will pass the gap you've left them, to push their way in 10ft further down.

Do lorry drivers object to being given a quick flash when they're overtaking me, to tell them it's safe to go back left?