Dual Carriageway and Multi-lane Roundabouts

It is time again for me to update this learning to drive blog of mine to reflect what I have been doing lately with my driving instructor.

In my last lesson I was introduced to driving on dual carriageways, and because I only booked a one hour session we covered joining from traffic lights and t-junctions properly, but only had one attempt using a slip road which was a full talk through by my instructor. In order to make more progress this time and be able to cover a wider range of traffic conditions and speed limits I booked a 2hr lesson with him.

At the beginning of the session as was usual, my instructor started with a recap of the last lesson's main topics, using questions to find out how much I remembered and then went on to mention that we would be doing more practice of dual carriageways, including more slip roads, higher speed limits and roundabouts like Apex corner which I had been hearing out in the Mill Hill/Hendon area!

We had to drive for about 15 minutes before we joined the first dual carriageway (watford way) via traffic lights, there was not a lot of cars around, but we soon encountered a slow moving honda civic car doing about 26mph on the 40mph road so my instructor talked me through overtaking it. He emphasised the importance of MSM, and that I should NEVER change lanes on a dual carriageway without using my mirrors and indicating even if I was only crossing the lane temporarily.



Slip Roads and Dual Carriageways
The first slip road we used to join a dual carriageway was somewhere in Borehamwood, and my instructor chose it because it was very long and it really helped me with understanding the principles of getting the approach right, assessing the speed of cars already on the road and accelerating away from the junction once I decided to join the dual carriageway. Because we used this place a few times I had situations where I had to stop and giveway due to the busy traffic we encountered on one ocassion, my instructor was quick to point out that I should not get confused with joining a motorway which I would have read about in the highway code where YOU MUST NOT STOP ON THE SLIP ROAD! There were some times where I got a bit scared, since some vehicles where going very fast and changing lanes suddenly without even indicating and I almost pulled out in front of them.

The other thing that we did was drive through some of the multi-lane roundabouts like apex and sterling corner and Mill Hill circus, but it was either a left turn or following the road ahead so it wasn't too difficult especially being controlled by traffic lights and most of the times I got stopped, giving me enough time to get prepared. My instructor did say that next time we booked a 2 hour session we will spend more time on these junctions and even pointed me to a roundabouts video he had posted on the internet just to give me an idea of what is involved, especially when turning right on a multi-laned roundabout from a dual carriageway. I also need to work on my driving manuevers, as I sometimes get things mixed up and can't remember which way to steer.

I will update you with how that goes, as I'm a bit busy at work right now, and also have a wedding to help my friend plan (maid of honor).

Driving on Dual Carriageways

While I haven't posted in this blog recently, my driving lessons have been progressing slowly but steadily.

I recently had a full 2 hour session learning the full details of how to drive on dual carriageways.

After giving me a driving lesson briefing on dual carriageways, my instructor took me to the first situation of joining a dual carriageway via traffic lights. This was very easy to deal with, and my instructor reminded me to move immediately into the left hand lane so that I didn't hold up faster vehicles and force them to undertake (pass me) in the left lane.
Once in the road, I was then given tips on how to stay in my lane, and given plenty of practise in making progress not necessarily driving at the upper speed limit, but more about getting used to the traffic conditions and controlling my car.

Next I was introduced to emerging onto a dual carriageway via a T-Junction.
I was informed that on approach I should look out for signs, as it will always be a compulsary left turn and because of this the dsa examiner will not give any directions, also there might be a speed limit sign which will not only let me know the maximum I can drive at, but how fast cars on the road I'm about to join will be travelling at.



My driving instructor explained the importance of stopping at the give way and properly assessing the speed of the vehicles on the dual carriageway before deciding if it was safe to emerge (a common failing point on the driving test).
If I find a suitable gap, I need to make progress quickly and pick up speed so that cars don't have to slow down because of me joining the road.

The third and final way of joining a dual carriageway is via a slip road, and I only got to try this once during the driving lesson as we were running out of time, and it looked very hard, even though my instructor gave me a full talk through! He said we will do some more practice in the next session.

First Driving Lesson After Long Break

Today I had my first driving lesson after a very long break (over 12 months), and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

My driving instructor picked me up at the agreed location, as I was not home, and he mentioned we will start driving on some quiet roads just to get me warmed up and see how my basic skills were.
I settled down quickly completing my cockpit drill without forgeting anything, got the car prepared and moved off smoothly without jerking the car, and was pretty pleased with that, as I thought I would start off rough.

The road we started off on was a bit narrow with cars parked on both sides, and my driving instructor had to remind me of the lesson about keeping the car in the middle of the road, as I was too close to vehicles on the left. It wasn't busy, so I didn't have any traffic to meet, after dealing with a few junctions turning left and right and emerging, we joined a main high street, where I had to avoid bus lanes, deal with pedestrian crossings, and drive up to the 30MPH speed limit (I actually exceeded it, and my driving instructor had to prompt me to bring it down), I wasn't doing too badly, until we got to traffic lights.

I'm not sure if it was the traffic lights or the dual carriageway, but my instructor said that I became unsettled despite having dealt with both before. Once on the dual carriageway road I calmed down again, it only had a 40MPH speed limit, and we didn't stay on it for long, but continued on local roads, high street and then it was time to do the turn in the road 3 point manuever for the very first time in over 12 months.



My instructor asked me if I wanted to attempt this on my own without any reminders from him, and I said Yes. The attempt was not good, the car went too fast, I didn't make proper use of the POM Routine and hit the kerb!
My driving instructor reminded me of the correct procedure including clutch control and we practised this for a copule of times, before I knew it time was up, and the driving lesson was over. Now I remember why I always booked 2 hour driving lessons with my instructor, I learnt more and spent less time trying to warm up.

I have decided that I'm going to continue, so will let you know how my next session goes which is booked for this weekend Saturday.

Resuming Driving Lessons Tomorrow

After a very long break (almost a year and half), I am going to be resuming driving lessons with NW London instructor tommorrow.

I spoke to him over the weekend, have a half day booked at work (got other things to sort out as well), and will start off with a 1 hour refresher driving lesson just to see how I get on, and what I still remember.

A lot of things have changed while I've been working hard, but it seems that my plans of buying a car might have to wait due to new car insurance laws being introduced in Spring 2011. The quotes I've been getting are very expensive for the VW Fox I wanted to get (2nd hand), so I might have to wait till I get my Full UK licence and even do a Pass plus course to lower my insurance cost (hopefully first time pass).

I will let you know how it goes on the blog, and hopefully this time I will not allow anything to distract me from my goal and taking regular driving lessons.