Leaving the motorway

You will normally leave the motorway via an exit slip road. If you are planned your journey well your first task will be to look out for the exit number.

All motorway junctions are numbered and the ex it number can be found in the bottom left-hand corner of the direction signs in a black square with white numbers.

The first direction signs for your junction will have the road numbers and the junction number - but will not have names of the destination. This sign is one mile from the exit.

The second direction sign will be like the first but this time would include place names. This sign is positioned half a mile from the junction. By the time you reach this sign you should be thinking of moving back to the left-hand lane if you are not already there. Information is also given on gantry signs at some junctions.

Finally, you will see the countdown markers. These are placed 270, 180 and 90 metres respectively from the start of the deceleration lane.

As you pass the first countdown marker signal your intention to leave the motorway but maintain your speed - you can slow down in the deceleration lane and on the slip road.

Deceptive speed As soon as you enter the slip road, check your speedometer; you might be traveling much faster than you think (50 mph can feel like 30 mph after a long fast journey). Some slip roads have sharp curves that can take drivers by surprise if the traveling to fast – beware!