How to Get on the M11

The M11 motorway stretches for around 50 miles from South Woodford in north-east London to north-west of Cambridge. The M11 is a two lane, each way motorway, except in a section near Stansted where it becomes three lanes. For a lot of drivers, motorway driving can be an unpleasant task, but if you follow a few simple rules it is not that hard to get on the M11.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Set your concentration level to high. Before you get on the M11, get yourself mentally in gear by thinking ahead. It is safe to drive on motorways but it is the speed and the amount of traffic that scares some people. Things happen a lot quicker on a motorway and you have to be mentally prepared to react as quickly as possible.

2. Motorway driving should be safe. Although you hear people say all the time that they hate driving on the motorways due to the traffic, they are usually safer than dual carriageways. Restrictions on motorways mean that everyone should be travelling at around the same speed and in the same direction. There are usually no surprises such as sharp bends or pedestrians crossing the road and there will be no learner drivers or oncoming traffic. You only have to go one way and watch what the other drivers are doing.

3. Get on the M11. You will usually join a motorway by means of a roundabout or via a main road onto a slip road. From there you will get to an acceleration lane. Don't try and overtake any of the vehicles already on the motorway at this point; it's kind of an unspoken rule. Keep your speed to the same limit as those already on the motorway. Drivers on the motorway should realise that you need to join the main carriageway and should do their best to let you on, unless the traffic is very busy.

4. Get onto the first lane of the motorway. Remember to use full observation rules, using side and rear view mirrors when you move into the first lane. Don't just use the mirrors; look over your shoulder as well in order to properly gauge what is going on around you.

5. Always keep to the left lane. The other lane is for overtaking and it is bad driving to stay in the overtaking lane for long periods of time. Stick to the speed limits and obey the traffic and warning signs. Motorway driving should really not be a frightening prospect if you are prepared and ready for it. Try not to drive more than 2 hours at a time; tiredness will dull the senses and concentration.