Motorways are statistically safer than other roads in relation to the number of incidents occurring. However, when they do happen, motorway incidents usually occur at higher speed and involve more vehicles. As a result, injuries are usually more serious – and are more likely to result in loss of life.

Because traffic travels faster, conditions change more rapidly. You need to be alert and have total concentration.

Before you drive on a motorway

You must hold a full driving licence.
You should have a thorough knowledge of all rules within The Highway Code, but particularly those dealing with motorways.
You need to know and understand motorway warning signs and signals.

Concentration

You need to be fit and alert to drive anywhere, but particularly so on motorways. Never use the motorway if you feel tired or unwell.

General guidelines on dealing with fatigue are given in section 1 but the problems when driving on motorways tend to be greater because of the long distances involved and the monotony of the journey.

Research has found that fatigue accounts for 15–20% of incidents on monotonous roads (especially motorways). These tend to result in more serious injury than the average collision because of the high speed of the impact (there’s often no braking beforehand).

If your journey seems monotonous and you feel drowsy, keep a window open until you reach a service area. Plan plenty of rest stops, especially at night.

Parking is forbidden except at service areas. If you need rest, you’ll sometimes have to travel a long distance before an exit or a service area. Remember it’s an offence to stop on the hard shoulder, an exit road or a slip road, except in an emergency.

Your vehicle

You must only drive a vehicle that’s allowed on a motorway.

The following types of vehicle MUST NOT be used on motorways

motorcycles under 50 cc
certain slow-moving vehicles with oversized loads – except with special permission
invalid carriages (powered vehicles used by disabled people) less than 254 kg unladen weight
agricultural vehicles.

Also, motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders or motorcyclists riding on provisional licence entitlement.

Learner drivers may have driving lessons on motorways but only with an approved driving instructor (ADI) and in a car fitted with dual controls that’s clearly displaying L plates.

Check your vehicle

Make sure your vehicle is safe and in good working order

High speeds and long distances increase the risk of mechanical failure.

You should carry out the following checks on your vehicle before using a motorway.

Tyres They must be in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure. Follow the guidance given in the vehicle handbook, which may give different pressures to be used when the vehicle is loaded.
Brakes Check they can stop you safely.
Steering Check it’s in good order.
Instruments and warning lights Make sure they’re all working correctly.
Mirrors Make sure they’re clean and correctly positioned.
Windscreen and windows Make sure they’re clean. Top up the reservoir for the windscreen washers, and the rear window washer if your vehicle has one.
Lights and indicators Make sure they’re all working correctly.

For safety, convenience and good vehicle care, you should also check the following items.

Fuel Make sure you have enough fuel to avoid running out between service areas.
Oil High speeds may mean your engine uses oil faster. Running out can be dangerous and costly.
Water Higher speeds can mean a warmer engine, especially in traffic tailbacks in hot weather.

Make sure your load is secure

Check that everything carried on your vehicle or trailer is safe and secure. If anything should fall from your vehicle or from another, stop on the hard shoulder and use the emergency telephone to inform the authorities. Never try to retrieve it yourself.

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