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Whether the weather is good or bad summer is
the time when many people venture out onto the motorways who would
normally avoid them at all costs. In fact August is the busiest month of
the year on the motorways.
Lancashire County Council's Road Safety
Group Manager, Neil Cunliffe, is urging nervous motorists to take
positive steps to make them safer and happier drivers:
"Even the mere thought of getting
on a motorway reduces many drivers to quivering wrecks. Research this
week by the RAC shows more than a third of drivers suffer anxiety when
driving, or thinking about driving, on motorways.
"Nervous drivers are more likely
to make mistakes, which could cause accidents. Motorway tuition is an
excellent way for drivers lose any unnecessary fear of these roads and
build up their confidence.
"There are a number of training
courses available to help motorists improve their motorway driving
skills including advanced driving courses, Pass Plus for new drivers,
or simply a couple of hours of motorway lessons with an
instructor."
Top of the worriers are younger and older
female drivers, while middle aged professional men are the most
confident.
Learn-2-Live Motorway Safety Campaign
found that 4 out of every 5 drivers were terrified to drive on the
motorways without any training, even though less than 5% of all new
drivers have this training.
Lancashire County Council's top tips for
nervous drivers:
1. Plan your journey
It will help boost your confidence if
you plan your route carefully before you set off. Also, check your
vehicle is roadworthy before you start and take plenty of breaks. Make
sure you know which junctions you need. Take regular breaks; every two
hours take a break for at least 15 minutes.
2. Keep left except when
overtaking
Stay in the left hand lane except when
overtaking slower vehicles. If you need to change lanes, make sure you
get into the correct lane in good time.
3. Keep your distance
Make sure there is a 'two second' gap
between you and the vehicle in front of you. Also, remember the speed
limit is 70mph for cars and 60mph if you are towing a caravan or
trailer.
4. Observe all signs
Look further ahead than you would on an
ordinary road as road conditions change much faster on motorways. If
you observe all the signs, then you will be prepared for sudden
changes.
5. Take special care in road
works and adverse weather conditions
Always reduce your speed and get into
the correct lane in good time, avoiding switching lanes unnecessarily.
In bad weather, keep a larger gap between you and the vehicle in
front. Also, keep the windscreen clear and consider using headlights
or fog lights in bad visibility.
6. Breakdown
If you break down, pull into the hard
shoulder as far to the left as possible with you wheels turned to the
left. Do not attempt even simple repairs and turn on your hazard
warning lights if you are causing an obstruction. When calling for
assistance, keep well away from traffic and follow the marker posts to
the nearest emergency telephone.
For more information on the resources
available for motorway drivers please contact Anne Finch, Senior Road
Safety Adviser on 01772 534 525.
Source:
Lancashire County Council (UK) (PR 1578)
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