On the motorway

Seeing

Make sure you start out with clean mirrors, windscreen, windows and lights. Use your washers, wipers and demisters whenever necessary to ensure you can see clearly.

You need to use your mirrors frequently and much earlier than on normal roads. Because of the higher speeds on motorways, they’re even more important.

Effective observation

Keep your eyes moving between the road ahead and your mirrors, so that you always know what’s happening all around you.

Continually reassess the movement of the vehicles

• directly ahead (in the near and far distance)
• alongside you
• behind you.

At high speeds, situations change rapidly. Effective observation helps you prepare for any sudden developments.

For example, an increase in the number of vehicles ahead could mean that traffic is slowing down and ‘bunching’.

If you see serious congestion ahead, you can use your hazard warning lights briefly to alert drivers behind you. This can reduce the risk of rear-end collisions, especially in bad weather.

Being seen

Because of the higher speeds, your vehicle needs to be seen much earlier on a motorway than on an ordinary road.

Always try to avoid staying where you might be in another vehicle’s blind spot. This is especially important when the other vehicle is a large vehicle. A good indication is, if you can’t see the driver’s mirror, the driver probably won’t be able to see you.

Poor daylight

In poor daylight, you should use your headlights.

Fog

In fog, where visibility drops below 100 metres (328 feet), you may find it helpful to use fog lights in addition to your headlights.

You MUST switch your fog lights off when visibility improves. This is the law. They’re misleading and can dazzle other drivers if left on. They may also make your brake lights less conspicuous.

Headlight flashing

The level of noise is higher on a motorway, particularly in wet weather, and other road users may not be able to hear your horn.

If you think a warning is necessary, flash your headlights instead.

Watch out for any such warnings intended for you.

Driving and braking

At motorway speeds, braking should normally be

• unhurried
• progressive.

If you slow down gradually without putting your foot on the brake, it allows traffic to move more freely. If you’re constantly touching the brake pedal and causing your brake lights to show, it encourages those behind to do the same, causing braking and accelerating, so hindering the smooth flow of traffic.

Following traffic at the correct distance will enable you to adjust your speed without having to constantly brake and accelerate heavily. This will aid the smooth flow of traffic.

It’s when you’re driving on a motorway that you may find it most useful to use cruise control if it’s fitted (see section 3). This will help you to maintain a constant speed and may help you save fuel.

Defensive driving

• Anticipate problems; take avoiding action before they develop.
• Slow down in good time.
• Keep your distance from the vehicle ahead.
• Take particular care when overtaking lorries, as some have poor visibility to their right.

Avoid braking suddenly

Defensive driving will reduce the likelihood of having to do so.

Read more about defensive driving in section 10.

Keeping your distance

The faster the traffic, the more time and space you need for every driving action.

You should always

• give yourself greater margins than on ordinary roads
• make sure there’s enough space between you and the vehicle ahead.

Traffic normally travels faster on motorways because there are usually no

• ordinary junctions
• sharp bends
• roundabouts
• steep hills
• traffic lights.

Slow-moving vehicles are generally forbidden.

Note: some motorway links, where motorway regulations also apply, do have roundabouts and sharp bends.

How big a gap?

Leave a gap of at least one metre or yard for each mph of your speed.

This rule is reinforced on some motorways where there are chevrons painted on the carriageway. Keep at least two chevrons between you and the vehicle in front.

Bad weather

Leave at least double the space if the road is wet.

In icy conditions, you’ll need up to 10 times the stopping distance that you need in dry conditions.

Tailgating

This is a very dangerous practice, especially on motorways, where it’s often the cause of serious incidents.