Highway Code 271 states: "You MUST NOT stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or by red flashing light signals.
Don't drive bad car.
And regardless of destination, safety features like airbags, traction control, vehicle stability, and tire pressure monitor system should be considered for a road trip. The biggest safety tip happens before you drive: get a proper tune-up, check tires, battery, A/C, and oil before you hit the road.
Stay within the speed limit and keep left unless you're overtaking. This helps to keep you and other road users safe, and to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. Plan ahead. Check that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy, and that you have enough fuel for your journey.
Motorways typically have three lanes: Lane one – the left lane – is for routine driving. Lane two – the middle lane – and lane three – the right-hand lane – are for overtaking. Keep to lane one unless there's a build-up of slow-moving vehicles in that lane, when you can move over to one of the other lanes.
The majority of accidents on three-lane highways involve the right lane. Because cars are merging, accelerating, and slowing down frequently, this lane presents the highest risk of an accident. When people driving in the right lane lose focus or fail to check blind spots, accidents frequently occur.
Mind your speed
The speed limit for cars on the motorway is 70mph, and nobody should drive faster than that. The limit for large goods vehicles and some buses, coaches and vans is 60mph. If you're towing a trailer, it's also 60mph.
For cars, the national speed limit usually refers to the 70mph limit on motorways and dual carriageways, and the 60mph limit on single carriageways. The national speed limit sign is a white circle with a single black diagonal stripe through it.
Typically, cars are most efficient at 45-50mph. As well as fuel economy differing from vehicle to vehicle, it is also dependent on a number of other factors such as tyre pressure, presence of roof racks, and driving style – all of which are covered in this guide.
The Safest Times to Drive
While mornings and afternoons are safer, there are some exceptions. Rush hour traffic, which typically runs from 8 AM to 10 AM in the morning, and then again from 4 PM to 7 PM in the evening, plays a part in safety too.
If traffic is flowing freely, you shouldn't need to brake at all on the motorway until you turn off on a slip road. Besides, using your brakes less is good driving practice. Not only could it reduce congestion, it will also improve fuel economy, cut exhaust emissions and make for safer driving.
There is no official minimum speed limit on the motorway but travelling too slowly can be dangerous and you may attract the attention of the police. You could even be prosecuted for careless driving.
According to Driving Test Tips, anywhere between 50 mph and 70 mph is acceptable, but any slower could mean you become a danger to yourself and those around you, as your chances of being involved in an accident rises.
There's no minimum speed limit on motorways but if you're driving too slowly the police could potentially pull you over for careless driving. Here's what you should know before you decide to stick to the inside lane.
When there is no stated speed restriction on the interstate, 55 mph is the safest driving speed on a rural highway. However, a safe speed on residential roads is between 10 and 25 mph. The fastest speed to drive is the posted speed limit.
The highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130, a toll road that bypasses the Austin metropolitan area for long-distance traffic.
According to NHTSA's data, I-95 is the most dangerous highway in the United States.
From a safety point of view, the best time to travel on a motorway is from 6am to midnight. A major problem of driving at night or during the early hours is fatigue. Using a motorway is monotonous at any time but less traffic during the hours of darkness can lead to lack of focus and resulting tiredness.
In sum, the danger to other vehicle occupants and pedestrians is very low. The data for injuries tell as similar story: drivers become safer as they grow older. That is, the safest drivers on the road are older drivers.