Pass Plus - lesson five
Dual-carriageway driving
Higher speeds are the first thing that a new driver thinks about when they think of dual-carriageways
The potential danger in every single situation is magnified
every time the reading on the speedometer rises
If you carry out a regular pattern of fully effective observation, learn to judge the intentions of others and remember to trust no-one then you have greatly increased your chance of getting to the other end of your journey unscathed.
Nowhere is this more true than on our higher speed roads.
Dual carriageways are a more efficient way for town and regional planners to interconnect our towns and cities. we all know this.
Forward planning for your journey
People are often in too much of a rush for their own good. Driving under pressure they are not carrying out the positive driving practices that you will be taught. You will need to spot the bad drivers and accept that the best and least stressful way of dealing with them is to stay out of the way.
This may potentially be the first time that you have joined a faster moving road from a slip road. It seems so dismissive to say that it is only a lane change like any other, but unlike any other you have to be prepared to stop at the end of the slip road if you are unable to merge into the traffic.
Most qualified drivers drive in complete ignorance of this. They do not even know (or probably care many of them) that the traffic on the major road has priority and does not have to let them on.
It is their responsibility to merge correctly even if this sometimes means slowing down a little to merge into a gap behind someone else.
This sometimes turns out to be a contentious topic of conversation. Remember please that your instructor is not asking your opinion. They are telling you how it is.
Effective Observations
Effective observations are the primary key to driving safely at higher speeds.
You need to know exactly what is happening several vehicles ahead and be prepared to slow down early.
One of the easiest things to do on a dual carriageway is to forget that they usually end by sliming down to an ordinary single carriageway road. Even though there are always signs there to remind you!
The transition needs to be planned on approach.
After the change in driving environment has taken place speed perception is vital as you will feel that you could walk faster even though you are probably still doing in excess of thirty miles per hour.
Dual-carriageways, if used correctly are our safest roads after motorways. Be careful out there.
Alcester, Ansley, Arley, Atherstone, Barwell, Bedworth, Bulkington, Coleshill, Coventry, Earl Shilton, Fenny Drayton, Galley Common, Higham on the Hill, Hinckley, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Mancetter, Nuneaton, Polesworth, Rugby, Southam, Stratford upon Avon, Studley, Warwick, Wellesbourne, Whitnash.
