Motorways Part 1 - the prohibited and the sliproad

Have you noticed the biggest drawback to driving through towns? It can take an eternity to get anywhere but we have a destination to reach and I’m sure you’re keen to get there so you can pass your test. I propose we cut this town loose and hit the motorway for a while. Problem is... being a learner driver you aren’t allowed to drive on the motorway so I humbly suggest you let me take the wheel until we reach our exit. Great, there’s a motorway sign now, let’s do this.

Because traffic flow is much faster on a motorway hazards will develop faster giving you less time to react and an error here could easily be fatal. It is for this reason learners are not allowed to drive on a motorway until hazard perception and concentration levels have had time to develop. It is not just learner drivers that may not take to the motorway but also different forms of slower-moving vehicle that would inhibit free-flow and become hazards in themselves. They are thus: (1) Cyclists (2) 50cc Motorbikes (3) Tractors (4) Pedestrians (5) Horses with riders. Of course, if you should ever come across one of the above then please give them a wide birth so they aren’t spooked or knocked over in your back-draught (Unless it is the tractor of course)

A word on Slip-road etiquette now, although I don't use this word in the traditional sense of 'after you old boy, no no, after you, I insist', you should try hard to eliminate, or prevent, competative driving from entering your modus oparandi. Take this slip road we are approaching now for instance, it begins with two lanes then merges into one as it takes us to the motorway. At the point of merging allow your fellow motorists to integrate equally, closing the gap so a driver in the other lane cannot merge ahead of you is a pointless and selfish act which transfers your own stress or bad attitude onto that of the other driver whom may then pass on the discourtious act to another driver and so on. It is also an undisciplined act which you will see many of in 'The Demon Road: A Theory Test Novel'. My aim in writing this book was not only to embed the theory test knowledge in your memory, but to share with you insights into the minds of what your fellow drivers.

OK, the purpose of the slip road then is to give us a run up to the motorway allowing us enough space to build up our speed to match that of the motorway traffic so we can integrate without forcing anyone to slow down. On this point it should be noted that it will be your responsibility to merge appropriately and not the responsibility of those already on the motorway to get out of your way. With the exeption of some HGV vehicles, however, (whom may not be able to get out of your way) most drivers will have seen your approach in advance and switched to lane two in order to let you merge smoothly. www.facebook.com/TheoryTestNovel  http://twitter.com/theorytestnovel