How to stay safe on a motorway
Driving Tips: How to Stay Safe on a Autobahn
Essential advice from preparing your car for the journey to complying with the regulations and what to do in the event of a breakdown.
Few drivers look forward to driving on the Autobahn because it is often stressful and not without risk.
In fact, a recent InsuretheGap survey of 1,542 UK motorists found that more than a third of motorists avoid driving on motorways.
A separate study by Nissan found that more than half (55%) of drivers felt nervous when trapped between cars and trucks on freeways.
The fact is, multi-lane freeways can be challenging environments that often produce the worst in drivers, including speeding, tailgates, street hoopla and ventures.
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Important safety instructions for motorways
Be prepared
Make sure you and your car are ready for the journey. The best way to avoid breaking down on a long, high-speed drive is to do some basic checks, especially if your car is more used to the commuting traffic in the area. Check your car’s headlights and add oil, coolant and washer fluid if necessary. Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated and show no signs of damage or adverse wear.
Don’t get distracted
Long freeway journeys can be tedious, but it’s important to stay alert at all times as things can change in a split second. Passengers and pets must be kept under control, and you should avoid phone calls – even if they are hands-free. If you need to do something distracting while driving—including eating and drinking—take a break typically at the next church service.
Adjust your driving style
Safe highway driving is about observation and anticipation. At high speeds you can run into incidents very quickly, so you need to look much further ahead than usual and have a better awareness of what’s going on around you in order to anticipate potentially dangerous situations.
stay alert
Pay attention to information and warnings on electronic signs. Whether it’s variable speed limits, lane change arrows, red Xs or alerts about upcoming problems, make sure you read them and respond. For example, a red X over a lane on a freeway means you must exit that lane as soon as it is safe to do so and stay out until told otherwise. If you drive on a red X lane you can get a fixed fine of up to £100 and three points.
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Know your highway manners
Stay left
The left lane should be your “base”. When the lane is clear, keep left and only use the other lanes to overtake slower vehicles. Don’t be in the middle lane – it can annoy other drivers and lead to rear-end collisions and flashing incidents.
Watch your speed
Do not exceed the 110 km/h speed limit and be prepared to adjust your speed in heavy traffic, adverse weather conditions or when instructed.
Check your mirrors
The situation on a motorway can change very quickly, so it’s important to scan your mirrors as often as possible to anticipate possible incidents.
Watch out for the gap
Always keep a two-second distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and double that distance when it’s wet because it takes longer to stop.
Sure to overtake
Only overtake on the right of other cars. Before you do this, check your mirrors and make sure they can be pulled out safely. Also look over your right shoulder and check your blind spot. Finally, flash in good time before changing lanes.
keep Calm and carry on
Relax and try to avoid road accidents. If another driver is confrontational or aggressive, do not make eye contact, do not react, and let them drive on. If you made a mistake, admit it, apologize, and move on.
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How to navigate on motorway construction sites
Narrow lanes, slow traffic, uneven surfaces and average speed cameras can make roadworks a stressful experience, especially at night.
However, they are there for your safety and the protection of the workforce, so it is important to follow these four simple rules.
1. Look ahead as far as you can and stay alert as lanes sometimes split and merge again.
2. Maintain a safe distance of at least two seconds from the vehicle in front (four seconds when wet). If other traffic moves into your gap, adjust it by slowing it down ever so slightly.
3. Avoid changing lanes. Changing lanes increases the likelihood of being involved in a collision.
4. Consider using a speed limiter or cruise control if available, especially if there are average speed cameras.
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