To be the best driver you can be, it is paramount to learn all types of driving. Feeling confident on a range of roads gives you more freedom to travel and versatility as a driver. Manchester, and especially Greater Manchester (covering 630.3km²), has a variety of factors that affect how you would drive. This article outlines the different types of roads you might encounter, helping you identify where you may be less confident and need a bit more practice.
Whether you are a learner driver, considering refresher driving lessons, or wanting to hone your skills around Greater Manchester, this article will be helpful.
Different roads to drive on
Residential
Residential roads are vital to understand, as around 530,150 people live in residential households, accounting for 96% of Greater Manchester’s total population. This suggests that, even if you don’t live residentially, you will have to drive through suburbs and residential areas to get around the county or visit friends.
Residential roads’ features include:
- Parked cars on one or both sides of the road. You will need to be familiar with staggered driving, meaning being prepared to wait and let cars on the other side of the road go, or to know when it is right for you to go.
- Cyclists or pedestrians. Many residential areas in Greater Manchester have good pavements and cycle lanes. However, you must remain on high alert for your own safety and for others’.
- Poorly maintained roads. The backlog in road maintenance is estimated at £15.6 billion, suggesting that roads frequently have issues such as potholes. Be conscious of this and drive slowly.
- Schools and 20 speed limits. Schools are common in residential areas and the roads surrounding them often have speed bumps or a 20mph speed limit. Make sure to follow this limit and be aware that there may be children nearby.
Inner city
Manchester is a busy city, so driving can be challenging.
Manchester’s inner city roads’ features include:
- Public transport (buses and trams). Be cautious when buses are pulling out or into their stops and avoid driving in bus lanes that are closed at different times. With trams, ensure you drive with your wheels either side of the tram lines (so you don’t slip) and follow traffic lights intently so you are safe.
- Traffic jams. In Manchester, traffic jams are common, especially during rush hours. Get used to clutch control and be aware that you may approach a jam at any time.
Country roads
Country driving is especially important to learn if you enjoy road trips or hiking days out.
Country roads’ features include:
- Roads are narrower. Even though the speed limit may be high (often 60mph), you should always be conscious that there may be cars on the other side of the road that can’t fit past you. You must learn to stop and wait.
- Conscious of cyclists and pedestrians. Country roads tend not to have pavements or cycle lanes, so be vigilant.
- Animals on the road. Be prepared to stop or slow for farm or wild animals.
Motorways
There are many motorways running through Greater Manchester (M60, M62, M56, M6 and M61)
Motorway driving features include:
- Know emergency procedures. Understand what you would do in the event of an emergency (i.e. getting onto the hard shoulder or using SOS laybys)
- Know how to merge. You must merge when you enter a motorway and you may merge into different lanes throughout your trip. Ensure you know how to check mirrors, assess the space and indicate when you are going to move (mirror, signal, manoeuvre).
- Follow the signs or a satnav. Know what lane you’re supposed to be in to follow your route by looking at the signs above or on the road and/or by following a satnav.
Learn to drive on different roads
Take this advice and information and consider whether you need more practice. If you do, then do that practice! You’ll become a better and safer driver because of it.
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