When you first learn to drive, there are lots of things to look out for and be aware of on the roads that your instructor will go through with you. From vehicle markings like these chapter 8 chevrons www.vehiclechevrons.com to the various road signs that you might encounter on your travels.
Although many people can be nervous going on a motorway, something that people can tend to find more challenging is driving around roads in rural areas, especially if it is not something that they are used to doing regularly.
Rural roads and country lanes can be dangerous if you are not cautious and more accidents happen on roads in the countryside than on the motorway.
Here are some tips to help you if you are concerned about driving on rural roads…
Speed – First and foremost, make sure that you are driving at a sensible speed on these types of roads. Despite the fact that most rural lanes have a national speed limit, it is certainly not something that you would be advised to drive at. As well as the fact that you do not have as much visibility around winding country lanes, you may need to stop for oncoming traffic, animals or other vehicles so doing a sensible speed reduces the risk of a collision.
Passing Places – Many of the country lanes in the UK are not wide enough for two vehicles to pass one another. You may also encounter larger vehicles used for farming, as these vehicles will be working in the area, so it is important to keep an eye out for passing places and be aware that it may be necessary for you to have to reverse back into a place so that other vehicles are able to go past you safely.
Weather – Certain types of weather can make country lanes more dangerous. In snowy and icy conditions, it is unlikely that the more rural roads will have been gritted, so be aware of this and drive with extra care if you are using them in the very cold weather. Flooding can also be an issue in some areas, and if you are not sure of the depth of the water, do not attempt to go through it.