While driving

Delays and diversions

Carry a map with you so that you can stop and check your position or identify an alternative route if you get held up or diverted.

If you’re using a sat-nav system

• Your sat-nav won’t always be correct, so take a hard-copy map with you in case of errors.
• You should always be aware that your sat-nav can be a distraction. Don’t spend time looking at it when your attention should be focused on the road. If you’re confused by any of its instructions, find a safe place to stop and review the route.
• Don’t be distracted from making your own judgement about the safety of any manoeuvres.
• Before you turn, make sure you’re allowed to do so by looking at any road signs.

Mobile phones

A mobile phone can be useful in the event of delays or breakdowns. However, remember that it’s illegal to use one while driving. This includes while you’re waiting in a queue of traffic.

If you have a passenger, get them to make the call. When you’re travelling alone and you need to call, find a safe place to stop first. If you’re on a motorway, you must leave the motorway before using your phone.

Hazard perception

Looking well ahead to see what the traffic in front of you is doing will help you to plan your driving.

If you see the traffic ahead slowing down, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually, rather than leaving it late and having to brake harshly.

Plan your driving and slow down early – if you do this, the traffic situation ahead may have cleared by the time you get there.

Constant speed

When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are good, you should drive at a steady cruising speed. This is the time to use cruise control if it’s fitted to your vehicle.

Whether or not you have cruise control, choose a speed that’s within the speed limit and one which you and your vehicle can handle safely.

Make sure you also keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Remember to increase the gap on wet or icy roads. In foggy conditions you’ll have to slow down to a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

At busy times, some stretches of motorway have variable speed limits shown above the lanes. The speed limits shown on these signs are mandatory and appear on the gantries above the lanes to which they apply.

These speed limits are in place to allow traffic to travel at a constant speed.

This has been shown to reduce ‘bunching’.

Keeping traffic at a constant speed over a longer distance has been shown to ease congestion.

Your overall journey time normally improves by keeping to a constant speed, even though at times it may appear that you could have travelled faster for shorter periods.

Lane discipline

You should drive in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway if the road ahead is clear. If you’re overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, it may be safer to remain in the centre or outer lane until the manoeuvre is completed, rather than continually changing lanes. Return to the left-hand lane once you’ve overtaken all the vehicles, or if you’re delaying traffic behind you.

Don’t stay in the middle lane. Remember that some vehicles are prohibited from using the right-hand lane, so if you remain in the middle lane they won’t be able to get past you. If you stay in the middle lane an unnecessarily long time, you effectively turn a threelane motorway into a two-lane motorway.

You mustn’t normally drive on the hard shoulder but, at roadworks and certain places where signs direct, the hard shoulder may become the left-hand lane.

Using sign information

Look well ahead for signals or signs, especially on a motorway. Signals situated on the central reservation apply to all lanes.

On very busy stretches, there may be overhead gantries with messages about congestion ahead and a separate sign for each lane. The messages may also give an alternative route, which you should use if at all possible.

If you’re not sure whether to use the alternative route (for example, whether you can reach your destination if you use the route suggested), take the next exit, pull over at the first available safe area (lay-by or service area) and look at a map.

On a motorway, once you’ve passed an exit and meet congestion, there may not be another chance to leave and you could be stuck in slow-moving or stationary traffic for some time. Take the opportunity to leave the motorway as soon as possible; you can always rejoin the motorway if you feel that’s the best course of action once you’ve had time to consider the options.

If you need to change lanes to leave the motorway, do so in good time. At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction indicated on the overhead signs.

Motorway signals can be used to warn you of a danger ahead. For example, there may be an incident, fog, or a spillage, that you’re unable to see.

• Amber flashing lights warn of a hazard ahead. The signal may show a temporary maximum speed limit
• lanes that are closed
• a message such as ‘Fog’ or ‘Queue’.

Adjust your speed and look out for the danger.

Don’t increase your speed until you pass a signal that isn’t flashing or one that gives the ‘all clear’ sign and you’re sure it’s safe to increase your speed.