Driving
on the Motorway
There
are less accidents on Motorways than on any other roads. But
often there are we crashes on the motorway that could have
been prevented. If you stick to a few simple motorway rules
you can ensure that you don’t contribute to behaviour
which could be termed as 'motorway madness'.
Tips on Driving
When
driving on wet slippery roads, or if there is poor visibility
then you should leave at least a four second gap between you
and the vehicle in front. In daylight, switch your headlights
on to dipped when visibility is poor. Always use your mirrors
and observe lane discipline. Use the left hand lane (slow
lane) whenever possible. Lanes two and three are overtaking
lanes and not “fast lanes”. Indicate when changing
lanes.
Make
sure that your vehicle is well maintained, and that you have
sufficient fuel and oil, check the tyre pressures and make
sure that tyres are in good condition including the spare
wheel (you never know when you might need it). Always drive
within the speed limit. Concentration and use of mirrors are
important on motorways because of higher traffic volumes and
the speed of vehicles. Take care when approaching intersections
where traffic is joining or merging on the motorway. Always
obey motorway signals. These signals warn of dangers ahead:
an accident, broken down vehicle, bad weather conditions,
flooding or a slippery road surface. Keep your distance from
the car in front. When driving on a dry road and in good weather
you should leave at least a 2 second gap between your car
and the one in front.
Take
special notice of the signs that say “Tiredness Kills”
take regular breaks at service areas, but never stop on the
hard shoulder. If you do feel tired get off the motorway at
the next exit. Take care at road works and when approaching
them. You must reduce your speed and obey all warning signs.
Pass or overtake only on the right hand side unless traffic
is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving
more slowly than you are.
It is an offence to move into a lane on your left to overtake
and never use the hard shoulder to overtake. Be very careful
when joining a motorway, you must give way to all motorway
traffic. Slow down in foggy conditions and use your lights.
Always keep a sensible distance from the car in front and
in very bad fog open your window slightly and turn off any
music so you can hear other vehicles.
Breaking Down on the Motorway
If
you have to walk to a telephone the arrows on the marker posts
point to the nearest telephone. All calls are free and you
will be put through to police control who will take all your
details. You should use the motorway phones because they provide
the operator with your location. If you can’t to use
the motorway phones and you use your mobile, you must give
an accurate position, the motorway number and the last or
next motorway junction number also the number of the nearest
marker post will be a great help.
If
you break down on the motorway, use your hazard signals or
your left indicator and when it is safe to do so, move over
to the hard shoulder. Find the nearest emergency phone box.
They are normally one mile apart. Park well over to the left
on the hard shoulder and lock all your doors apart from the
passenger door and use the passenger door to exit your vehicle.
When you leave the hard shoulder increase your speed to that
of other vehicles and wait for a long safe gap in the traffic.
When you have made your call, if weather conditions permit,
stand on the embankment because the main danger is from passing
traffic.
If
an unidentified vehicle pulls up and you are alone in your
vehicle get into your car and lock the doors. It is actually
against the law for anyone to stop on the motorway and offer
help. If anyone does stop ask them to contact the appropriate
emergency service, rather than help you. It is best to keep
a warm coat, walking shoes and a blanket in your vehicle.
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