Earners are letting slip a vital opportunity in motorway lessons-a foundation of safety and confidence. Driving education comprises two cardinal elements: skills and confidence in churning out safe and competent drivers. Recent findings, however, indicate that a high proportion of learner drivers in the UK are not exploiting one of the most highly rated opportunities offered them: motorway lessons. Finally, in 2018, learner drivers were allowed onto Britain’s motorways, provided they were accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a vehicle fitted with dual controls. Driving instructors, road safety advocates, and learners hailed this opportunity to help drivers gain much-needed experience in a safe and controlled environment before getting a full driving license.
Yet a recent survey from the AA Driving School has shown a worrying trend-too many learners aren’t taking these motorway lessons. This article looks at the results of the AA survey to understand why learners might be shying away from taking motorway lessons, what this missed opportunity may mean, and how motorway experience can create safer and more confident drivers.
The Missed Opportunity: Why Aren’t Learners Taking Motorway Lessons?
In the survey conducted by the AA, 57% of drivers still did not know that even learner drivers could have access to motorways-five years after the change in the law. Moreover, 83% of the drivers involved in this survey did mention that they had never actually seen a learner driver on a motorway. These figures underline the reality that even though motorway lessons are available, the practice is still uncommon and rarely used.
This may be due to a lack of effective communication regarding the legislative change and its advantages. Driving schools and instructors may well have to stress more the advantages that come with motorway lessons, especially where it aims at safety and confidence building. Parents and mentors, who many times influence decisions made by young learners, may not fully understand the positive impact early motorway experience can make.
Another possible reason may be the perceived risk and fear associated with motorway driving. To the novice driver, motorways can be intimidating: high speeds, confusing junctions, and an unbroken stream of vehicles at high speed. A number of learners might be anxious about how to merge into faster-moving traffic, change lanes safely, or understand lane discipline-all reasons which may lead them to avoid motorway lessons.
Why Motorway Experience Is Important to Learners?
The motorway is a specific driving environment that requires special skills, which cannot be appropriately developed on smaller, lower-speed roads. Without comprehensive training and practice on the motorways, drivers can become underprepared for the demands of driving on such roads and turn out to be hazardous to themselves and others. The challenges of adapting to motorway driving may be immense with the learner, but motorway lessons with a qualified instructor can suitably guide them to understand motorway etiquette, improve lane discipline, and inculcate defensive driving habits.
Actually, research has documented that learners who practice in motorways often emerge as assured and more competent drivers. For example, Finbar King, the very first learner to have ever taken a motorway lesson following the change in the law during 2018, describes how his motorway training has provided this lasting effect. During a midnight lesson on the M25 with his instructor, Finbar acquired the experience and confidence which now enable him to drive safely and comfortably on the motorways. “I now use motorways a lot either going to play or watch football and the tuition certainly helped me to drive safely,” he told Sky News.
For those that embrace motorway lessons, the benefits are certainly real. Learners pick up familiarity with a number of crucial aspects of motorway driving, including:
Joining and leaving: Learners are able to practice smooth joining and leaving of motorways, learning how to use the acceleration lanes and when and how to signal to show their intentions.
Following Distances: Tutors explain the “two-second rule” to the learner and the need for safety distance. Leaners avoid tailgating, minimizing risk of collision.
Higher Speed Management: Most new drivers are nervous about higher speeds, and driving on motorways allows learners to be accustomed to higher speeds under the safe guidance of their tutors. Knowledge of Emergency Procedures: Teachers teach learners how to act appropriately in response to the most common motorway dangers, such as breakdowns and sudden changes in traffic flow, and how to make decisions that keep them safe.
Poor Motorway Habits are Hazardous to Road Safety
Poor habits learned in the absence of adequate motorway training contribute to a number of road safety issues. The AA survey identified some worrying statistics on motorway behavior among licensed drivers. Many could benefit from motorway training even after passing their test. 49% of the motorists queried saw motorists driving along hard shoulders, while the same percentage witnessed drivers navigating over chevrons to rejoin the motorway after missing an exit.
Over a quarter of drivers-26%-said drivers were stopping on the hard shoulder to have a toilet break, showing either ignorance of how to use the motorway correctly and legally. Needless to say, it’s also very dangerous for both the driver and other motorway users. This suggests that better education is needed on the rules and etiquette of motorway driving, which could be improved by encouraging learners to take motorway lessons prior to them passing their test.
Motorway lessons allow learners to practice with an instructor who may reinforce good habits and correct bad ones. This way, it assists learner drivers in having better foundations about motorway safety and helps avoid practices that may lead to dangerous situations.
Confidence Building and Reduction of Fear
One great advantage of motorway lessons is that it allows the learner driver to build up their confidence. The motorways may be daunting, but with the guidance of an approved driving instructor, the learners get experience that helps reduce their fear of these roads. That experience is invaluable in helping learners transition into independent drivers who feel better equipped to handle all types of roads and driving conditions.
Finbar King’s story further evidences that all ages and experiences of drivers gain motorway confidence. The training in motorways was an enabler that allowed Finbar to get over the initial anxieties of driving at high speeds, and he now frequently travels on motorways for leisure. When new drivers are comfortable on motorways, safe and informed decisions are more likely to be made, further building a safer driving environment for all.
Long-Term Possibilities that Come Along with Improved Safety
Promoting motorway lessons for learner drivers holds the potential to initiate long-term effects on the safety of roads in the UK. More drivers trained on motorway-specific skills and etiquette would likely decrease instances of middle-lane hogging, tailgating, and illegal stops on hard shoulders. This would not only minimize the risk of accidents but also create a more considerate and polite driving culture on the motorways.
Mark Born, the AA Driving School’s Head of Instructor Training, reassures that this first motorway experience will instill good habits. “We hope more learners take up motorway driving lessons to give them a head-start in building confidence and experience around motorway etiquette,” he explains. Driving schools can help in sending out more confident learners onto the roads, and with more motorway training, they will definitely be contributing to a better future in road safety.
Encouraging Learners to Accept Motorway Lessons
Learner involvement in motorway lessons increases with driving schools, instructors, and policymakers. Steps that can promote taking motorway training among learners include:
Publicizing the change in the law: Most learners and their parents still have very little awareness of the 2018 legislation enabling motorway lessons to take place. Driving schools should make potential students aware of this opportunity through all marketing materials, lesson offers, and communication.
Emphasize the Added Benefits of Motorway Training: Driving schools have to make them aware of the benefits that motorway lessons will bring to their driving confidence, safety skills, and ability to understand how to operate on motorways. Clear information will help present the value of motorway lessons to the learner and their family.
Lesson Flexibility: The driving school may offer motorway lessons either as part of the standard driving package or an option for extra sessions instead of demanding learners to commit to motorway training in advance.
Incentivising Motorway Lessons: Driving schools can offer discounts for motorway lessons or bundle deals with motorway training at a lower price. In this way, learners will find it more affordable to acquire this valuable experience.
Better Training of Instructors: Driving instructors have an absolutely vital role in developing learner attitudes to motorway driving. For example, training instructors on how to conduct effective motorway lessons will help learners feel comfortable, informed, and prepared for whatever experiences they may have on the motorway.
Moving Ahead with Safer Motorway Driving
Introduction of motorway lessons is no doubt one step into the future in driving education in the UK; this practice still enjoys very negligible usage. With more concrete initiatives from driving schools, instructors, and road safety campaigners, it should be possible to persuade learner drivers to avail themselves of this opportunity to acquire those vital skills for their driving lifetime.
This could have long-term effects on road safety whereby more drivers are on the roads with the knowledge, confidence, and practice to use motorways safely. Again, this would reduce the numbers of common driving problems-middleroad hogging, tailgating, and incorrect use of hard shoulders-and make the motorway networks a safer and more pleasant place for all drivers.
With increased numbers on the road, the requirement for confident and skilled motorway drivers has never been greater. In investing in motorway training for learner drivers, we’re investing in a future of safer roads, more responsible driving habits, and a new generation of road-ready motorists who can take to the most challenging of roads with confidence and care.
Main image by John Howard from Pixabay