76 replies to this topic

[GTIAlex06]

Never driven on a motorway before even though i been driving for just under two years (all in my mini )

I do regular dual carrage way routes, sticking around 50/60 mph.
Im very confident driver in general and dont usually have any problems reading the road/making decsions etc

But i have never driven on a motorway before and something about it, doesnt fill me with confidence.

In such a small car with a small standard 998cc engine, i can just picture big lorry wheels the size of my car and d*cks in Range Rover Sports being agressive and the likes.


So was just after a few general driving tips about motorway in any car, how to deal with junctions and anything i may come across.

Also Mini specific things. (earplugs maybe )


This wasnt particularry covered in any driver training i had and never didnt pass plus and wont be doing so now.

[Carlzilla]

earplugs are a godsend alex if you dont have a big audio system, and just treat it like any national dual carraigeway junctions, theres really nothing to worry about.
Not a problem sticking to 55/60, after all there isnt a minimum speed limit, and having a car that cant easily do 70 most people dont get miffed about, its old fogies in 1.6 rovers that creep up the motorway at 40 that do!

Edited by Carlzilla, 04 January 2011 - 03:20 PM.

[George929]

not that bad mate similar to dual carriage way my dad has a series 1 landrover and that does about 50 and you just sit there with lorries passing its alright just get your hammer down if you worried and stay out of fast lane if your worried about range rovers and co.


remember there's always a scenic route

[samsfern]

as long as you keep your wits about you and be aware of whats going on around you all the time youll be fine.

[GTIAlex06]

So.

Dont worry about the speed so much...ear plugs...dont sitck in the middle lane...avoid the fast lane...

Anything else?

[evansisgreat]

after all there isnt a minimum speed limit

It's 30 if I remember correctly from my theory test, though I've never seen anyone doing less than 40 on an open motorway.

Like everyone says, don't worry. The worst that will happen is you'll annoy a few people you'll never see again.

Edited by evansisgreat, 04 January 2011 - 03:27 PM.

[George929]

i like to think a loud horn is good

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

[Carlzilla]

after all there isnt a minimum speed limit

It's 30 if I remember correctly from my theory test, though I've never seen anyone doing less than 40 on an open motorway.

Like everyone says, don't worry. The worst that will happen is you'll annoy a few people you'll never see again.

If youre stupid enough to be doing 30 on a motorway theres seriously something wrong with your thinking, or you shouldnt have a license, or have a damn good reason for doing 30!

I dont see why motorways scare people, my moms been driving as long as ive been alive and shes still scared of motorway junctions.

[littlemissmagic]

I drove on motorways with my mini straight after i passed my test and its fine, i cruise at about 65.


Just watch out for lorrys, ive had some near death experiences with them, they seem to find it funny to mess about and play games with my mini

But otherwise its no problem, just be aware of them!

Edited by littlemissmagic, 04 January 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[ccfc]

My first Motorway drive in the Mini ended up in disaster in an industrial estate in Bristol. Granted it was the ignition coil and the guy from the contracted people from Footman James took me to a run of the mill work shop to pick one up and we got it fitted.

Advice is, don't hammer it trying to see how fast it can go, it will only end in tears. Although if you do see a Ferrari doing 60/70, you have my permission to overtake him. Also make sure you regulate the temperature, in the summer I almost cooked in mine, today I would be more worried about freezing.

[afoggo]

to me, motorway driving is my favourite. taking my mini home from the day i bought it was no problem at all as long as you look a head and anticipate where you are heading you'll have no problems

as you have done dual carriageway driving there isnt much difference to be honest.

as said above overtaking Ferrari's etc gives you a warm feeling inside

[Dolly 89]

just be careful the first time i drove on the motorway was in works transit van within 2 weeks of passing my test i was nervous but its easy just stick with the traffic i was doing 70 all the way down with no problems didnt know what i was worried about and the mini is nothing to worry about it is a car mate

[Timty]

Paying for a motorway driving lesson is never a waste of money it helps you get rid of that initial anxiety,i found that as long as your courteous to the lorry drivers they're not to bad.

[Ethel]

I'd say it's no harder than a dual carriageway, at least all the junctions are on the left. Only thing would be exercising as much care pulling back in to the left as cars can get by on both sides, even if they shouldn't - usually.

They're also wide lanes for little cars



Good tip about HGV's - if you can't see their mirrors it's not likely they can see you.

[Tanya]

I find it is worse thinking about it than doing it. The thought of driving our 850, with drum brakes and no seatbelts terrifies me, I think for good sound reasons, but once we're on the motorway it is fine. I have to say I find lorry drivers, and most drivers very accommodating. We try to take her from Oxford to Durham (to visit her previous owners) once a year and do other motorway drives too. We try to keep up with the flow of the traffic, which we mostly do.