Motorway Driving Question

pendragon_arther

Forty-three years ago my driving instructor told me he was going to teach me to drive safely at speeds of up to 70mph preparing me for fast motorway driving. In those days there were dual carriageways that you could reach that speed. So when I first went on a motorway I was already fairly prepared as to what to expect.

contrivant

marleyboy wrote: »

I am sure each and every one of us were learners at one stage. I remember my first drive on the Motorway, it was terrifying, whether or not I made the approach too slow I dont know, I was too busy filling my pants at the sheer speed of the traffic at the time.

I have no doubt OP will learn (as we all did) and eventually gain confidence and experience of Motorway driving.

Maybe the standard driving test should include a Motorway drive but it doesn't.

When I passed I had zero experience in Motorway driving, Night time driving, driving in Fog, Snow or torrential rain. The kind of hazards every driver eventually has to confront, a beginner is inevitably going to slow down and feel nervous about confronting such hazards, over time their confidence will grow with experience.

I was surprised to discover that Motorway driving is much safer than urban driving in the long run, but that did not stop me feeling nervous about driving on the Motorway for the first time.

I do think this may be one of the bad things about learning to drive in the UK. I learned to drive 22 years ago in the US, and as soon as my Driver's Education instructor had me drive around town a bit, we got on the interstate (as we call it) to head back to the high school. He really drilled it into me about building up speed, merging and generally not slowing down the traffic that's approaching, so I've always been confident in that sort of situation. The difficult thing over here is all the holdups on the motorway though, but even so, some motorway experience before you have a licence should be part of the experience, in my opinion.

AdrianC

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Forty-three years ago my driving instructor told me he was going to teach me to drive safely at speeds of up to 70mph preparing me for fast motorway driving. In those days there were dual carriageways that you could reach that speed.

There still are.

takman

My partner is currently learning to drive and I have taken her to a duel carriageway for practice a few times. It has a 70mph speed limit and slip roads to enter and exit just like a motorway. She is very confident on this road and is happy to build up to 70mph to join it.

So there are plenty of opportunities to practice this kind of driving and build up your confidence before you go on the motorway.

VX5087

contrivant wrote: »

I do think this may be one of the bad things about learning to drive in the UK. I learned to drive 22 years ago in the US, and as soon as my Driver's Education instructor had me drive around town a bit, we got on the interstate (as we call it) to head back to the high school.

Nice idea but we don't have the motorway or dual carriageway infrastructure to do that. A lot of the country doesn't have a motorway or dual carriageway within 20 miles.

contrivant

You also don't have enough exits off the motorway. Where I'm from, there are exits every mile or so, so to drive from one side of town to another, you'd be better off popping on and popping off rather than going down the highway.

AdrianC

VX5087 wrote: »

Nice idea but we don't have the motorway or dual carriageway infrastructure to do that. A lot of the country doesn't have a motorway or dual carriageway within 20 miles.

Nor do those parts have a driving test centre. Which is why instructors will give longer lessons, including driving to and from where the test will be.

Iceweasel

VX5087 wrote: »

Nice idea but we don't have the motorway or dual carriageway infrastructure to do that. A lot of the country doesn't have a motorway or dual carriageway within 20 miles.

20 miles??

Try learning to drive in Thurso or Wick.

Never mind about the islands.

People from those parts do occasionally venture South with trepidation.

unforeseen

AdrianC wrote: »

Nor do those parts have a driving test centre. Which is why instructors will give longer lessons, including driving to and from where the test will be.

They don't 'give' you longer lessons, you have to pay for double lessons. OK for a one off driving test but starts to get expensive when you have to do a few of them to get DC experience. For my area I have 2 test centres within 15 miles. The nearest DC that has slip roads and is not just a dualled bit of single carriageway is over 25 miles.

The idea is fine if you live in the central areas such as Birmingham/Midlands, Manchester etc, but once you move away from there then it is no longer a feasible idea E.G. mid Wales. Scotland once away from Glasgow/Edinburgh/Stirling area, Cumbria. There is probably a larger area where it couldn't be done compared to where it could

onomatopoeia99

Noble_Viking wrote: »

I I've clearly learnt that driving lessons and a driving test teach you almost sod all! :eek:

Driving lessons teach you to pass the test, always have. At least that was true when I learned nearly 30 years ago.

You start learning to drive once you have your full licence, there's nothing to beat experience once you have the basics.