Driving techniques for Different Road Types
In order to qualify for your full driving licence, and be legally entitled to drive on public roads, you have to display a level of basic competence on just a tiny handful of them. Many drivers pass their test without ever having driven on a motorway. Some, in fact, go their entire motoring lives without doing so.
Among the many consequences of this is that many of us don’t really get the training and instruction that we need to drive effectively on different kinds of road. As such, new drivers are well advised to look at how they might get the best from their vehicle, wherever they’re driving.
Motorways
Motorways can be intimidating for new drivers, but they’re arguably the easiest and safest place to be behind the wheel.
Use the slip road to adjust your speed to match that of the vehicles in the left-hand land. Keep a distance of around two seconds between your car and the one in front. When it’s time to exit, you’ll get three warning signs, featuring diagonal slashes. The number of slashes corresponds to the number of metres to the junction. Each slash amounts to a hundred metres.
When you’re driving on a motorway, you should stick to the left hand lane unless you’re overtaking the car in front. Sticking to the middle or fast lane ultimately causes congestion, and will irritate the drivers behind you.
On a motorway, you should always check your mirrors and your blind spot before you change lanes. When you get experience driving, you’ll naturally form a mental map not only of the road in front of you, but the road behind you, too.
If you’re travelling long distances on a motorway, then your choice of tyre will make a big difference to your experience. You can buy tyres online and get them fitted without breaking the bank.
Country Roads
Driving through the countryside requires a bit of skill and conservatism, as it’s naturally the most dangerous place to drive. Ideally, you’ll want to plan your route beforehand so that you don’t get lost. Make sure that you have space to pull over, and limit your speed if you can’t see beyond a bend.
At night-time, you’ll want to use your full beam to ensure that you have the best possible view of the road ahead. Dip your lights when you see another set of lights coming in the other direction. When you come across horses, cyclists, pedestrians and tractors, you’ll want to make sure that you overtake only when it’s safe to do so.
Cobbled Streets
Cobbled streets tend to be found in historic estates and town centres. They’re not designed to cope with modern motoring. Lower your speed and be aware of any dips or holes in the surface. During icy or wet weather, you can lose traction on a cobbled street in an instant. So drive extremely carefully!