Driving on motorways means heavier traffic and higher speeds. Below, is some advice to help ensure a safe journey:
- Check your vehicle is roadworthy before you start.
- If you are driving long distances, take plenty of breaks.
- Keep left except when overtaking.
- If you are overtaking a number of slower vehicles, it may be safer to stay in the middle or outer lane rather than continually switching lanes.
- Keep your distance.
- Watch your speed: the speed limit for cars, motorbikes, light goods vehicles and buses and coaches less than 12m long on motorways is 70mph; The speed limit for vehicles towing a caravan or trailer, HGVs, articulated lorries and buses or coaches over 12m long on motorways is 60mph. View know your limits for further information
- Only use the hard shoulder in an emergency - if you need to stop for any other reason - to read a map or use your mobile phone, for instance - pull into a service station.
- Take special care at roadworks: slow down and get into the correct lane in good time; Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks; keep to the speed limit and keep a safe distance in case there are queues in front.