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Always keep British distances from the car in
front, which obviously means more than most others around you.
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Try to keep up with the traffic flow and go at
the same speed as everyone else, otherwise trucks in particular will
tailgate you.
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If you want to sightsee, talk on the phone, look
at the map, etc. etc. there is a lot to be said for pulling over and
letting the other traffic by.
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Beware of coming up behind columns of slow moving
traffic too fast - even on main roads, there are often very slow
road users about.
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At crawling pace sudden stops are frequent so be
careful of slow speed shunts - never get closer than two car lengths
to the vehicle in front even when crawling.
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Be wary when overtaking
slow vehicles - a speed difference of no more than 25 km/h is a good
guide.
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Stop means stop. You can get a fine if you don’t
(which you will have to pay in cash on the spot if you are a
non-resident). Similarly, don’t cross continuous white lines.
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The “island lanes” in the middle of the road at
junctions are very handy for helping you to get out/in, but there is
no obligation to use them. You can also simply wait until it’s free
in both directions.
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If you do use “island lanes”, stop your car
parallel to the traffic flow, not at an angle with the nose pointed
into the oncoming traffic. What would happen if you get even a wee
bump from behind?
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If the vehicle in front of you suddenly swerves
into the slow lane on the main road, it's not an invitation to
overtake! Follow it in as it is possibly avoiding an oncoming
vehicle.
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Beware of slippy roads just after it starts to
rain, particularly if it hasn't rained for some time.
