Here are some ways to increase your safety when driving on the motorway.

Your vehicle

As with ordinary roads, check your brakes, lights, direction indicators, mirrors, windscreen wipers and washers, oil and coolant and your emergency kit. Be especially careful with:

• Fuel - make sure you won’t run out. Remember that you consume more at higher speeds;
• Tyres - make sure they are inflated to the pressure recommended for your motorway speed and load;
• Seat belts and child restraints - make sure all are being worn and are properly adjusted;
• Load or luggage - make sure articles are secure so they do not fall or move around whilst traveling.

Yourself

• Plan your journey;
• Make sure you are fit to drive;
• Rest well so that you can start fresh;
• Make sure your seating is adjusted to a comfortable position;
• Keep the vehicle well ventilated;
• Do not drive after drinking alcohol – even low levels of alcohol lessen your driving ability, especially at motorway speeds;
• Remember illness, stress or depression can affect your driving;
• Take a break at a motorway service station or rest area to prevent drowsiness and to sharpen concentration;
• Take a break every two hours or less. Never drive beyond three hours at a stretch;
• Note the number of the motorway exit you need to use and how far it is from the previous junction.

Joining the motorway

As you approach from the slip road you must give way to traffic on the motorway. Adjust your speed so you can join the left-hand lane of the motorway in a safe gap and at a speed appropriate to the traffic in that lane.

On the motorway

Because of the high speeds check your speedometer regularly. You will need to look further ahead and use your mirrors earlier than on other roads. 
Speed and stopping distances

Observe the speed limits indicated in the Highway Code and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Remember that the stopping distances indicated are for dry conditions, when roads are wet or icy stopping distances can be double or more. Follow the two-second rule - as the vehicle in front passes a bridge column, road sign or other stationary marker say “only a fool breaks the two second rule”. If you arrive at the marker before you finish the sentence you are traveling too close. In fog always be able to stop within your range of vision.

Road conditions

Information is available from travel bulletins on local and national radio, and TV.

Lane discipline

Keep left except when overtaking. Use your mirrors, ensure that the lane you wish to enter is clear ahead and behind, signal your intention in good time and be sure it is safe before you manoeuvre. Do not hog the outside lanes. The only time when you may overtake on the left is if traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you. You must not use the hard shoulder as a lane.

Motorway reflective Studs - Green, Red, White, Amber

Green are on the slip loads. Red are on hard shoulder. White between lanes and Amber at central reservation.

• Green is GO, so to go somewhere off the motorway you would use the slip road.
• Red is an emergency colour. The hard shoulder is only used in an emergency
• White are easy to remember as they mark the lanes like on normal roads.
• Amber is at the central reservation.

Therefore if you're in fog and can see red to the left and white to the right, you're in the first lane.

White on both sides in the middle.

White left and amber right, the third lane.

Roadworks

Observe the signs instructing you to get into the correct lane for your vehicle. Signal and get into the lane in good time. Keep within the temporary speed limits, at contra flows they are not just good advice they will normally be mandatory. Maintain a safe stopping distance. Concentrate on the road ahead, distractions at road works cause accidents.

Motorway Matrix Signs

In normal conditions these are blank. If amber lights flash there is a danger ahead and the signs will also indicate a temporary maximum speed, a closure or a message, (for example fog). On some motorways, the signals will be on the central reservation and apply to all lanes. On busier motorways, the signals are overhead - one for each lane. When the danger has passed, the next signal will show the end of restriction sign with no flashing lights. If red lights are flashing on a signal you must not go beyond that signal.

Leaving the motorway

• Remember your motorway exit number so that you are in the left-hand lane in good time.
• Use the countdown signs, which appear at 300 yards, 200 yards and 100 yards. (Paul, please put an image here of the motorway countdown markers)
• Reduce your speed and signal left well before entering the slip road.
• Look out for signs and lanes in the slip road. Sometimes there will be sharp bends requiring a much slower speed than you have been used to on the motorway.
• You will need to adapt to slower, non-motorway speeds, so keep an eye on your speedometer.

Common errors in motorway driving

• Driving too close.
• Not signaling early enough.
• Driving too fast for the conditions.
• Continuing to use the middle or outer lane when an inner lane is clear.
• Speeding due to lateness.
• Driving when tired.

PASS PLUS

Approximately 17% of drivers take a Pass Plus course which involves motorway driving after they have passed their driving test.

For a list of insurers participating in this scheme please see the list under our Pass Plus section.