Motorways differ from ordinary roads in that they're designed to help traffic travel faster and in greater safety. This puts greater demands on both driver and vehicle.

Motorways are statistically safer than other roads in relation to the number of incidents occurring. However, when they do happen, motorway usually occur at higher speed and involve more vehicles. As a result, injuries are usually more serious- often with greater loss of life.

Traffic travelling faster means that conditions change more rapidly. You need to be alert and have total concentration.

Before you drive on a Motorway

• Car drivers must hold a full driving licence.
• You should have a thorough knowledge of all Rules within The Highway Code but particularly those dealing with motorways.
• You need to know and understand motorway warning signs and signals.

Concentration
You need to be fit and alert to drive anywhere, but particularly on motorways. Never use the motorway if you feel tired or unwell.

General guidelines on dealing with fatigue are given on page 19 but the problems when driving on motorways tend to be greater because of the long distances and the monotony of the journey.

Research has found that the fatigue accounts for 15-20% of incidents on monotonous roads (especially motorways). These tend to result in more serious injury than the Average collision because of the high speed of the impact (there is often no braking Beforehand).

If your journey seems monotonous and you feel drowsy, open a window until you reach a service area. Plan plenty of rest stops, especially at night.

Parking is forbidden except service areas. If you need rest, you'll sometimes have to travel long distances before an exit or a service area. Remember its an offence to stop on the hard shoulder, an exit or a slip roads, unless in an emergency.

Your vehicle
You must only drive a vehicle which is allowed on a motorway and make sure your vehicle is safe and in good working order.

The following vehicles must not be used on the motorway

• Motorcycles under 50 cc
• Certain slow-moving vehicles with oversized loads- except with special emission
• Invalid carriages less than 254 kg unladen weight
• Agricultural vehicles.

Also, motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders or holders of provisional car and motorcycle licences.

Before you use the motorway - High speeds and long distances increase the risk of mechanical failure.

You should carry out the following checks On your vehicle.

• Tyres- they must be in a good condition inflated to the correct pressure. Follow the guidance given in the owners handbook which often gives different Pressure to be used where the vehicle is loaded.
• Brakes- check they can stop you safely.
• Steering- check it is in good order.
• Instruments and warning lights- make sure they are all working correctly.
• Mirrors- make sure they are clean and correctly positioned.
• Windscreen and windows- make sure they are clean. Top up the reservoir for the windscreen washers, and the rear window washer, if your vehicle has one.
• Lights and indicators - make sure they are all working correctly.

For safety, convenience and good vehicle care you should also check the following items.

• Fuel- make sure you have enough fuel to avoid running out between service areas.
• Oil- high speeds may mean your engine uses oil faster. Running out can be Dangerous and costly.
• Water- higher speeds can mean a warmer engine, especially in traffic tailbacks in hot water.

Make sure your load is secure - check that everything carried on your vehicle or Trailer is safe and secure. If anything should fall from your vehicle or from another, Stop on the hard shoulder and use the emergency telephone to inform the Authorities. Never try to retrieve it yourself.