Motorway Driving Question

ratrace

Also invest in a couple of dash cams to record your journeys, if you are involved in an accident or a crash for cash victim then you would have solid proof, here is a link to a chap on you-tube who has reviewed different ones


https://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan/videos


Hope you enjoy driving, stay safe

marleyboy

You were driving cautious OP, better safe than sorry, once you have done a few solo drives on the Motorway you will soon get into the swing of Motorway driving.

It might be a good idea to put your "P" plate on, at least until you feel confident enough for the journey. If not for your own confidence, it will at least remind other drivers that you are new to Motorway driving and may lack a little confidence, it will help other drivers to be a little courteous towards you as well as help build your own confidence up.

oldhand

Dont be too hard on yourself,your still learning and have many more things in the future that will not be as you believe should be on the road.It really is a jungle out there so your best bet is make sure you are in the right lane if on a motorway and on other roads follow the highway code,it may not make you popular some times but on those occasions let the flashers pass by,give them a smile and carry on your way..........

iolanthe07

Those of us who have been driving on motorways since they were built often don't realise just how frightening and intimidating they are to novice drivers. Don't beat yourself up over this; it seems you were only 'guilty' of being a little over cautious. The 'P' plates are probably a good idea.

Incidentally, undertaking is frowned on in this country, for some reason, but is perfectly normal, legal and safe in the USA and works well there.

Iceweasel

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Incidentally, undertaking is frowned on in this country, for some reason, but is perfectly normal, legal and safe in the USA and works well there.

So is carrying a gun according to the NRA.

Noctu

Noble_Viking wrote: »

It was an observation whilst on the road and since it was factual, relevant to the thread I believe. Why do you have an issue with me mentioning the three impatient female drivers who clearly abused the use of their horns and lights on a motorway by trying to intimidate me?

Taken from The Highway Code

Rule 112

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

• while stationary on the road
• when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

except when another road user poses a danger.

Rule 110

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

These three female drivers did the above as a way of intimation, not just to warn me of their presence. I have mirrors so I can clearly see them behind me. If they had given me a chance to gain speed having just got on to the M61, I would have done so, but they didn't, they seemed to think 70mph + was a better idea. I also forgot to mention one of them had a mobile phone to her ear!

Whether they had been male or female I still would have mentioned it.

How exactly is them being female relevant to the thread? Why not mention their ages, hair colour, and car make/model whilst you're at it? Oh yeah, because it's probably completely irrelevant :rotfl:

Try driving properly next time and you won't get any female - or male - drivers doing 70mph behind you on a motorway (God forbid) or getting annoyed at your poor driving.

Norman_Castle

50 mph on a clear motorway is too slow. Motorways work well when drivers use similar speeds. Generally, the lower speed is set by lorries which is about 60 mph and the highest is about 80mph. If you match the speed of the other vehicles and use the correct lane you will fit in. Use your speedometer to check you're not speeding. Use your judgement to set your speed.
Being aware there may be delays ahead is good but as long as you keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front there's no need to be overly cautious.

thacky

And good for you for doing IAM

dannyrst

You're a new driver, so you should know that the stopping distance at 70mph is 96 metres and the easiest way to determine this is leave a minimum of 2 second gap between yourself and the car infront.

If you had that gap, you didn't need to stick at 50mph on a motorway with a single lane going the direction you travelled.

I'm all for inexperienced drivers being given a chance, but honestly, I would have passed you on the left and cut back to the right too. Oh and I'm not a female.

thevinternet

Well done OP for doing the IAM, it will give you more confidence I expect.


I was doing 60mph in the left-hand lane a few weeks ago on the A1; it was late at night and all the other lanes were clear. My car is old and an automatic, consequently I don't do well up even slight hills, and I had my foot to the floor!


I STILL had an idiot come up behind me honking, flashing his lights and doing rude hand gestures, before he overtook on the right and sped past me! So don't be embarrassed, that doesn't stop even after years of experience!!


People get very 'judgey' behind the wheel in a way that they never would if you were both pedestrians in the street!


So just take the opportunity to learn from this experience - it's how we all improve after passing.