Safety Tips And Etiquette For Driving On Motorway
Driving on a motorway can be daunting for every driver. Whether you are a new driver or a heavily experienced driver, motorways are not easy for anyone. They are the location where most anxiety, road rage, traffic jams and accidents take place. Most accidents and traffic jams occur because the driver’s fail to pay attention, panic when the car breaks down, or stop to observe any chaos. Although if the drivers stick to the motorway etiquettes, your country can have some of the Safety Tips motorways out there.
Driving Tips For Motorway
Plan your journey before you hit the road. Make sure you know which exits you need to take and what rest stops you will be using. Road Safety Scotland advises drivers to take a break every two hours since fatigue causes almost 20% of the road accidents in the UK. So it is important that you are well-rested before you drive on the motorway. This way, you will remain alert and expect the unexpected.
According to Safety Tips It is essential to keep your vehicle on the left lanes on motorways since the other lanes are used for overtaking only. Unlike a swimming pool, motorways don’t have slow or fast lanes. Make sure to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the other vehicle in front of you, especially if the weather conditions are bad. It is a necessity by the law that you drive at the posted speed limit, but if the weather is bad, it is vital that you drive at a much lower speed. It is better to be over-cautious than to be involved in a road accident.
The general speed limit on Scotland motorways is 70 mph. So try to remain on that speed and minimise any potential distractions. Many collisions can be avoided with a quick response time which is only possible by not speeding and avoiding distractions. You may be a very experienced and confident driver, but it is possible that the driver in the next car isn’t. So being on alert while driving is essential to avoid most road accidents.
Furthermore, avoid slowing down to observe the aftermath of an accident. Slowing down will contribute to a long queue of observers, resulting in a huge traffic jam full of unhappy and tired commuters according to Safety Tips.
What You Need To Do If Your Vehicle Breaks Down On The Motorway
Panicking during a car breakdown will only worsen the situation, so try to remain as calm as possible. Move to the hard shoulder, a strip on the side of the motorway for emergency stops, if you can and turn on your hazards. If that is not possible, do not stay inside your car. Your main priority is to remove your car from the oncoming traffic. It is a crucial step to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers and other motorists.
Keep yourself safe from oncoming traffic by physically distancing yourself from the road. You are still prone to road accidents even if you are in your car on a hard shoulder. Wait for assistance away from the traffic. It is also important that you pay attention to your surrounding before leaving the car. Only leave the car if it is safe to do so. Try to remain visible to the oncoming traffic and never cross the motorway in any case.
However, if there is no hard shoulder on the motorway, you are on, pull your car to the farthest left and put the hazards on. If possible, pull it completely off the road so that you can avoid becoming an obstruction for oncoming cars. This way, you will reduce the risk of a motorway accident. If you cannot leave your vehicle, keep the seatbelt on and ensure that your car is visible to the oncoming traffic.
Your first call should be to 999 right after a breakdown on a motorway. They will provide you with the necessary assistance and to reduce any jams as soon as possible. Try not to attempt any DIY repairs on your vehicle, no matter how minor the issue may be, and wait for help.
If you’ve encountered a collision on the motorway, HD Claims will help you make a personal injury claim. Our solicitors work under a policy of No Win, No Fee in Scotland to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
