Serious questions and musings

[Dave]

One serious question I pondered recently after a conversation with my parents was; does anyone else hate motorway driving?

I was saying how it’s the type of driving I find scariest by far, along with driving on lengthy stretches of dual carriageway. I think the speed intimidates me, but as well as the speed, I think the fact that there’s so much traffic on the road around you and you have to change lane all the time (on motorways like the M4, left hand lanes often filter into exits, so you can’t stay in them) that intimidates me. One of my least favourite aspects of driving is lane changes anyway (I hate overtaking cyclists and similar), and when combined with having to make lane change decisions at great speed, it just really flusters me and I don’t react well. Some of my worst driving test moments were on the dual carriageway and caused by my split-second decision making under those conditions, including a dangerous fault on my 3rd driving test.

But my dad swiftly told me that motorway driving is the easiest kind and that my anxiety about it is all in my head. Other people say the same… but I completely disagree and would take local A and B roads any day of the week (albeit maybe not a one-track lane… I was taken on some truly hideous ones during my learning days)!

Am I the only one? Is my anxiety completely irrational?

I think in my head that I could go my whole life without driving on the motorway provided I can get to a railway station, but this whole conversation arose from my parents reminding me that I was unlikely to ever be able to visit somewhere like Alton Towers on my own without driving on the motorway (which probably isn’t wrong unless I want to spend an inordinate amount of money).

It’s the easiest driving but the stakes are higher due to the speed. City driving is more stressful but you are unlikely to reach speeds that will kill your if you get it wrong.

 

[Slugjc]

When I got home from passing my driving test, I got the keys to my mum's car and drove down the M62. Got it out of the way.

Honestly, I find motorway driving easier than on the normal roads. I don't know if it's the speed that makes me more focused. I react and I'm more aware of what is going on better, I can read the situation ahead and behind well. Whilst on roads that are 30/40/50mph. It's easier to be distracted by what's around, loose concentration. Plus, the standard of other road users, kids in the road, old people.

Driving my HGV and the car. I would rather be on the motorway.

 

[jon81uk]

Motorway is easier as just straight lines and don’t need to worry about cars coming toward you in the other lane, or tight windy corners, or illegally parked cars, or a bus pulling out the bus stop.

 

[BSwiss]

On the subject of serious motorway musings - why does the M6 have J21, then J21a and another J21a?

I get that both 21a junctions go to the M62, but surely J21a and J21b is the less confusing naming convention?

 

[rob666]

You are three or four times less likely to have an accident, per mile, on a motorway than on an A road.
They are the safest roads to be on, by far.
Modern cars are far more reliable and safe in an accident than in the past.

Old gite calling again...
The motorways used to be so much quieter...and used to have no speed cameras.

 

[Hid]

Generally, I find motorways the easiest, but never underestimate that you are going high speed and things go wrong quickly. The only time I struggle on Motorways is when it turns into a Smart Motorway, with adjustable speed limits they are more annoying and dangerous especially if hard shoulder is in use

 

[BSwiss]

If you want to do a 2hr session of motorway exposure therapy @Matt N - join the M6 northbound from Stoke. Head through the standstill mayhem of 17-19, bypass the nonsense of 21/21a/21a(2), and continue to the Lake District.

You’re rewarded with staggeringly beautiful scenery and Tebay services at the end.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Once you are used to the speed, there's actually a lot less to think about on a motorway than driving in a city, and it's a loss less unpredictable than A-road driving where you might misjudge a bend or come head on with other drivers taking risks overtaking cyclists or tractors. Statistically, you are much less likely to have a serious accident on the motorway than on an A-road. However for inexperienced drivers it is daunting - the car is a lot more responsive to minor steering inputs at high speed and you have to learn how the car responds differently at 70 mph. To say that the anxiety is 'all in your head' is a little dismissive. However it's true that the only way to get over the anxiety is to practice. Get as much experience driving on dual carriageways and motorways as you can. It will be scary at first, but you'll get used to it. I don't know if you have thought about the Pass Plus course? As a new driver I found it really helpful to go out with a qualified instructor who had the safety net of dual controls and could teach me how to maintain a constant speed and lane-change confidently.