Pass Plus - lesson six
Motorway driving
A lot of people when asked say that they took
the pass plus course for two reasons
The reduction in insurance premiums
and this lesson on motorways
If you have been dreading this lesson, don't. You will learn a lot.
You can legally drive on the motorways without any instruction on them at all and most do. This becomes more and more obvious when you get on one.
Being professionally taught to know what is going on around you is a big advantage.
Mile for mile motorways are our safest roads because of the absence of a number of hazards: -
- pedestrians
- cyclists
- roundabouts
- oncoming traffic
- right turning traffic.
Positive Driving skills make driving on motorways even safer, especially: -
- effective observation and
- good anticipation
Because of the higher speeds involved motorway accidents tend to be more serious when they do occur.
The national speed limit often applies when driving on dual carriageways but it pays to remember that the maximum speed at which you are permitted to drive is not necessarily a suitable speed for the prevailing road conditions.
Drivers often wish to 'get their foot down' on motorways when wisdom dictates otherwise. Please do not get caught out like this.
Some apprehension is perfectly normal at the beginning of this lesson. Once on the motorway though it melts away because there is so much to do.
The positive driving skills that you have learnt in the other lessons will combine in this one, especially if it rains hard. By the end of the lesson you will feel comfortable joining the motorway, negotiating your way through the traffic and planning a motorway journey.
This is the conclusion of the pass plus course and by now you will be a more positive driver with a more thorough understanding of the workings of the road traffic system.
The future is yours but bear in mind now that you have received proper training to be a good driver.
If you keep up the skills that you have been taught then you will remain safe, sensible and proficient for life. If you can't be bothered you will be a big danger to yourself and those around you.
Confidence in the hands of people who cannot be bothered to use their skills is dangerous.
As a practising ADI rest assured I am sick of seeing people whom I know posess advanced driving skills not even observing properly. The assumption must be that they are too good to be caught out. The potential for embarassment when they do crash (and they do) is enormous. You can imagine my comments for a start!
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.
