Gary was very interested in the Highway Code and has now come to look at traffic using a motorway. This is the M40 between Warwick and Gaydon near Barn Hill Services. The motorway is not very busy when Gary comes to look at it this afternoon but he still notices a problem. Do you see what it is?

Do you remember Gary reading The Highway Code? It says that motorway drivers should always use the left hand lane except when overtaking but too many drivers are only using the middle lane and the outside lane. This means that as the road gets busier they unnecessarily create a traffic jam by their selfishness. Traffic jams cause delays and delays cause frustration. Frustrated drivers get angry and when they are angry they stop thinking sensibly about the risks on the road. At times like this they cause collisions and at high speed on the motorway these collisions can often be very serious.

Gary says that tired and frustrated drivers should pull off the motorway and take a rest maybe with a nice refreshing drink like tea, coffee or a cold soft drink for about 20 minutes. Drivers should learn to be considerate and tolerant of each other and should not stay in the middle and outside lanes where they cause unnecessary delays. They should also stay at least two seconds behind the car in front so as to avoid a collision if the car in front has to stop suddenly. Tailgating the car in front is very rude and very dangerous.

Gary says 'only a fool breaks the two second rule!'