Brits get into a muddle on motorways, they have admitted.
One in three drivers don’t understand motorway signs, over half of millennials completely avoid motorways and most believe there are slow and fast lanes for their use.
CarShop asked drivers about motorway knowledge and the results would be alarming to most experienced users.
Motorway fear is real amongst drivers, especially those who are new to the roads, with over half (60%) of millennials avoiding them altogether.
Nearly one in four drivers (23%) have ignored the red X sign on a smart motorway and over a third (37%) of drivers have admitted to exceeding the 70mph speed limit on motorways as they are unsure about the rules of the road.
Now, the team at CarShop has revealed some of the UK’s most well-known motorway myths in a bid to help end the confusion.
Motorway Myths Debunked:
- The ‘Fast Lane’ and ‘Slow Lane’ don’t actually exist, as the left hand lane should be used for normal driving and the other two lanes should only be used for overtaking.
- When joining a motorway, you should give way to traffic already in lane – many believe drivers on the motorwayshould give way to those joining, but they actually have the right of way. It’s the joining driver’s responsibility to join the motorway
- On smart motorways, even when display screens are inactive and completely black, the integrated speed cameras are still active and can capture the number plates of speeding drivers as normal. Speed cameras on smart motorwaysdo not turn off.
- Speed limits displayed on smart motorwaysare often thought to be advisory, but this isn’t always the case. If the speed displayed is in a red circle it is a mandatory limit and you will be committing an offence if you exceed the 70mph limit – you’re likely to be captured by speed cameras if you do so. It’s only when the speed displayed is accompanied by orange flashing lights that a limit is advisory.
- Many people believe that it’s illegal to run out of fuel on the motorway, and that you may receive a fine if this happens – but this is a myth. You should never commit to a long journey if you feel you may run out of fuel, but if you do, you won’t be fined by the authorities.
Take the test on road signs and learn the correct meanings to stay safe on the motorway.