Driving at speed…. safely

Learner drivers soon find out that driving at speed takes concentration and good technique. But if you’ve been driving a few years, you may have forgotten some of the techniques that are essential when you’re driving at higher speeds.   Here’s a reminder of what you need to consider…

Spaced out
Most congestion and accidents on the motorway could easily be prevented by following good driving practices, and one of these is to do your bit to prevent congestion, which leads to accidents. Firstly, allow plenty of space between your car and the one in front.

A safe distance from the vehicle in front is a good two seconds-worth of distance apart, which should give you time to react or stop. Count from when the vehicle you are following passes a point to the time when you pass it. Double this if the road conditions are wet.

Try to maintain a consistent speed because slowing down and speeding up can alarm other drivers and cause congestion. This means avoiding unnecessary braking, as your brake lights can set up a chain reaction, which leads to congestion, and may cause an accident. Instead, use and maintain your stopping distance.

When you join a motorway, use the slip road to match your speed to vehicles already on the motorway. This will help maintain traffic flow.

When you leave the motorway, try to keep to the same speed until you are well within the exit slip road. Slowing down and braking while you are still on the main carriageway can cause major congestion.

Lane discipline
We’ve all seen the car in the middle lane, travelling slower than everyone else and refusing to budge – don’t be that driver!

Exercise lane discipline, which means always use the left-hand lane, unless you are in the process of overtaking.

If the lane to the left of you is unoccupied, then move over to it, and never stay out of it longer than necessary. This will reduce disruption to traffic flow, as the traffic will no longer have to filter around you.

Also, when changing lanes, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder to check your blind spot. Indicate your intentions well in advance.

Try not to drive alongside other vehicles for longer than necessary, particularly large trucks. You will be in their blind spot and they may change lanes without seeing you. You are also not giving yourself an escape route for emergencies.

Other drivers
Watch out for other drivers acting unpredictably, weaving from lane to lane, undertaking, or pulling out without indicating. Try to anticipate their actions and give them room if it is safe to do so.

Watch out for left-handed HGVs, which have a blind spot on their right between what the driver can see in his mirrors and what he can see out of the front window. It’s worth checking before you pass an HGV to see if it has a foreign registration plate, and if so, to travel swiftly past their blind spot.

Be prepared
Here are four tips to help your journey go smoothly before you even get on to a motorway or dual carriageway:

1. Check your oil, brake and clutch fluid, tyre pressure and windscreen washer fluid.

2. Allow yourself enough time so that you can take a 15-minute break every two hours.

3. Know which junctions you need – never look at a map while driving!

4. Pack luggage securely so it won't move around if you need to brake hard.

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