motorway changing lanes issue.

[driveclub]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum. I'm a very nervous driver and on the motorway even more so.
I can't seem to trust myself to make the right decisions, even though I'm sure I'm capable of them.
I live in Newcastle and the roads are always so busy.

my main concern of the motor way is changing lanes so for example if I was in the left lane and wanted to move other to the centre lane. what happens if the traffic in the right lane is busy. I seem to think I would have a conflict if I moved into the centre lane at the same time a car does from the right lane.

I just can't get my head around how to deal with this situation and it's putting me off motorway driving, as to me I never feel like there is a good time to pull out and overtake.

any tips or comments would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[TooMany2cvs]

driveclub said:

my main concern of the motor way is changing lanes so for example if I was in the left lane and wanted to move other to the centre lane. what happens if the traffic in the right lane is busy. I seem to think I would have a conflict if I moved into the centre lane at the same time a car does from the right lane.

Look. Look harder. Look again. Think about closing speeds, gaps, what the traffic and the road ahead are doing. You'll soon learn if somebody in L3 is likely to move over to L2.

Sure, just because nobody's _likely_ to, doesn't mean they won't, but it reduces the chances... <grin>

Go and practice. Don't build motorways into this big thing in your head - they're just the same as any other multiple-lane dual carriageway. When you join a two-lane DC from a slip, do you worry somebody's going to pull from L2 to L1?

If you really want some reassurance, speak to your old driving instructor, and get them to give you a motorway lesson or two.

[gavsdavs]

Things you can practise without changing lane...
1. Speedmatch. Cars in the lane to your right are travelling faster than you but will be leaving gaps between them. Look for that gap in your mirror and as the gap passes you match the speed. You don't need to go into the lane, but it's useful to know the way to enter the next lane.
2. Shouldercheck/lifesaver. Motorbiking habit, yes, use your wing, and rear view mirrors to assess the traffic behind you. before you move lane TURN YOUR HEAD AND HAVE A LOOK. Seriously. Mirrors can have blind spots, you need a look with your own eyes. Don't move until you've done that, going both ways (moving left a lane AND right a lane).

[driveclub]

Thanks guys. I'm just finding it very stressful at the moment as I've seen two cars nearly collide becasue of what I've described and triggered son anxiety.

The slip road and the lane changing scares me so much because. One chance and that's it. You blow it, fatality is almost certain at those speeds. I feel like I'm risking my life

[anonymous-user]

driveclub said:

The slip road and the lane changing scares me so much because. One chance and that's it. You blow it, fatality is almost certain at those speeds. I feel like I'm risking my life

Not true at all, motorways are very safe compared to other roads.

I strongly suggest getting some more tuition with an instructor. It's likely all you need is a bit of experience with someone going through the process with you to build up some confidence.

If that doesn't work, and as you say you're a very nervous driver, maybe it's just not for you? We have this culture that says everyone should be able to drive but in reality some people will never be comfortable behind the wheel. If it makes you stressed and miserable then stop.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 7th November 06:31

[colin79666]

driveclub said:

The slip road and the lane changing scares me so much because. One chance and that's it. You blow it, fatality is almost certain at those speeds. I feel like I'm risking my life

Faster yes but unless you get it really wrong at least everyone is going in the same direction as you
The key is to match your speed as much as possible to the traffic you are joining, that way you don't need as big a gap and people are more likely to help you out by moving lane or backing off a little to let you in.
Go with a friend or hire your old driving instructor and practise. Do it at a quiet time and build up some confidence, it really isn't all that difficult once you master it.

[Who me ?]

As per other posts, but ONE addition - when you've looked in mirrors ,and judged that no one is likely to move in in front, take a second to check the blind spot over your right shoulder ( if moving out) and left if moving to an inside lane .Cuts out the blind spot that sometimes occurs in mirrors.

[Craikeybaby]

The only thing I can add to the advice above is to make sure you are signalling in plenty of time before moving out at least 4 seconds. That way anyone in L3 planning on coming back into L2 should see your intention to move out to L2.

The key point above though is getting some more tuition, there is nothing wrong with that, an hour or two with an instructor in your car should make a difference.

[grkify]

My ex girlfriend was petrified of going on the motorway, she had built it up in to a monster. So we went out in the car a few time on to slow dual carriage ways near by with 40 limit but with slip roads on and off of it, then went on to A303. Which was motorway speeds but only two lanes of traffic to worry about from this we went to M5. Just built up confidence at lower speed judging closing speed and other drivers behavior then once confident on the 40mph dual carriage way move up to faster 70mph dual carriage way then onto the motorway. The on thing i will say is start of at quiet times and then work up towards going out at rush hour. She tried going out with an instructor but he was only willing to do lessons on motorway at quiet times which was a little pointless as its the volume of traffic that was her main concern.

[Who me ?]

If motorways pose that much of a fear factor ( and to any new driver that's a good thing in that it shows that they're looking for solutions to problems ,BEFORE the problems arise) , ask an experienced driver to sit in for a short motorway trip. One thing I DIDN'T mention. You are in L2, approaching an exit you want, and there is a gap between a HGV behind and a car in front. Pull in too close in front of HGV and he's not going to be happy. Sit midway in the gap and INDICATE left. You're sitting in L2, saying to HGV "I'd like to move over, may I". most HGV will slow down and flash you in . Move over and etiquette is to flash hazards to say "thank you". You have indicated to HGV ,the desire to move in front of him. He's been warned and can reduce speed gradually ,rather than have to stand on brakes. It's a case of doing to others as you'd like them to do unto you( or is that wishful thinking on UK roads?). then again , perhaps you might contemplate whether a "P" plate might indicate to other drivers that you are new and not experienced and some might afford you the courtesy of inexperience. I know I do, as even after nearly 50 years on all sorts of roads of all sorts of widths and surfaces, I still remember how that long ago, I received courtesy when learning and try to exted courtesy to learners or those on P plates.

[henrycrun]

Always indicate on a 3 lane motorway.
L1 into L2, with L3 into L2 at the same time is a common cause of crashes.

As been said before, if you indicate your wishes early, other motorists can slow down or speed up to accommodate you.

And try and observe the 2 second rule.