Slip road merging, why is it so hard?
Discussion
aturnick54 said:
Had this happen a couple of times this week already.
Driving in lane 1 along the M1 motorway at 70mph. I often come across people that match your speed on the slip road and sit alongside you, they then force their way into lane 1 not caring that you are already there and have priority over them.
I had to slam on last night for a van that did it. Flashed my lights at him and he put his window down to give a load of abuse. Do these people really think they don't have to give way to vehicles already on the motorway? Why do drivers expect you to slow down or change lane to let them merge onto the motorway?
The standard of driving on motorways in the UK is terrible. I was always taught that I should either speed up or slow down on the slip road to fit into gaps between vehicles in lane 1. I never expect people to move into lane 2 and plan accordingly.
If it’s happened a couple of times this week, perhaps you are part of the problem?Driving in lane 1 along the M1 motorway at 70mph. I often come across people that match your speed on the slip road and sit alongside you, they then force their way into lane 1 not caring that you are already there and have priority over them.
I had to slam on last night for a van that did it. Flashed my lights at him and he put his window down to give a load of abuse. Do these people really think they don't have to give way to vehicles already on the motorway? Why do drivers expect you to slow down or change lane to let them merge onto the motorway?
The standard of driving on motorways in the UK is terrible. I was always taught that I should either speed up or slow down on the slip road to fit into gaps between vehicles in lane 1. I never expect people to move into lane 2 and plan accordingly.
Some slip roads are quite short.
Polite to slow down/speed up/move over
Then the problem goes away!
Richard-390a0 said:
I always enjoy it when the thread doesn't go the way the O/P hoped & they keep on digging by coming back with a load of what if replies lol! 
The OP is right that the key point is that those on the slip road are required to give way to those already on the motorway and nothing anyone else has said to the contrary undermines his point. Yes, those on the motorway should help those joining when conditions allow, but the requirement is still on those joining to give way._Hoppers said:
Quote from Roadcraft - The Police Driver's Handbook (The book that the IAM and RoSPA also use)
“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
What do they say about joining a motorway?“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
Edited by budgie smuggler on Tuesday 16th April 16:51
MrBen.911 said:
aturnick54 said:
In my case, lane two was not empty. It doesn't improve traffic flow if I'm then expected to slow down in lane one for the joining vehicle. They should adjust their speed accordingly.
Yes, they probably should have adjusted their speed already, but perhaps they are not the best driver in the world. The result is you are now in a position when you could just carry on as you have a road to drive on, but as their lane is about to run out, and you already know they're not a great driver, it seems the simplest solution is to slow down a little to let them in and avoid getting involved in their accident just to be proven right? Just seems like being a decent defensive driver and indeed decent human being to me?I really do not understand drivers in Lane 1 who do not anticipate that a cars will enter from a slip road. It really is not difficult to find a space in Lane 2 for any competent driver and then can easily move back to Lane 1 when appropriate.
We do not own a Lane or particular bit of tarmac.
Maybe it is the OP that lacks competence so finds changing lanes difficult. Hence being in Lane 1.
Richard-390a0 said:
I always enjoy it when the thread doesn't go the way the O/P hoped & they keep on digging by coming back with a load of what if replies lol!
It's not a what if. I described the situation and said that I was unable to move to lane two as others were suggesting.Personally I still think I should not have to slow down to allow people to merge, they should slow down to merge behind or speed up to merge in front. Given that I was doing 70mph, merging behind would be the sensible choice.
Nomme de Plum said:
He said it was a van which in itself means it cannot change speed rapidly and mayn't be able to accelerate because of the load.
I really do not understand drivers in Lane 1 who do not anticipate that a cars will enter from a slip road. It really is not difficult to find a space in Lane 2 for any competent driver and then can easily move back to Lane 1 when appropriate.
We do not own a Lane or particular bit of tarmac.
Maybe it is the OP that lacks competence so finds changing lanes difficult. Hence being in Lane 1.
Then they should decelerate and merge behind rather than just merge into the side of another vehicle I really do not understand drivers in Lane 1 who do not anticipate that a cars will enter from a slip road. It really is not difficult to find a space in Lane 2 for any competent driver and then can easily move back to Lane 1 when appropriate.
We do not own a Lane or particular bit of tarmac.
Maybe it is the OP that lacks competence so finds changing lanes difficult. Hence being in Lane 1.
Based on what you've said, why can't any competent driver who is joining find space in lane one to merge into? They should not rely on drivers already on the motorway to make space if they are unable to do so.
You're right in that nobody owns lanes, but certain lanes have priority over others otherwise there would be no point in road markings or give way signs. The roads would be a free for all if they didn't exist.
aturnick54 said:
And if there isn't room to move over?
The problem as well with moving over is that they often like to match your speed then in lane one and leave you stuck in lane two. Most truck drivers don't bother doing it for this exact reason.
slow downThe problem as well with moving over is that they often like to match your speed then in lane one and leave you stuck in lane two. Most truck drivers don't bother doing it for this exact reason.
now of course the joining vehicle should work with you too.
Edited by Gary C on Tuesday 16th April 17:08
This happens quite often on the A50 heading towards Stoke at the junction for B & Q. Where (and when) possible, I always try and move into lane 2 to avoid any potential issues. Sadly, especially when traffic is heavy, this isn’t possible. The thing that I find particularly frustrating is that a large percentage of the people joining the A50 do not either know or care that they are meant to give way and not force traffic already on the road to slow down or take avoiding action.
budgie smuggler said:
_Hoppers said:
Quote from Roadcraft - The Police Driver's Handbook (The book that the IAM and RoSPA also use)
“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
What do they say about joining a motorway?“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
Edited by budgie smuggler on Tuesday 16th April 16:51
If you are interested you can look up the correct procedure when entering from a slip road.
Commercial vehicles oft cannot manoeuvre as rapidly as cars, 'White van man' excepted and therefore need to be given a bit more tolerance and space.
Mr.Chips said:
This happens quite often on the A50 heading towards Stoke at the junction for B & Q. Where (and when) possible, I always try and move into lane 2 to avoid any potential issues. Sadly, especially when traffic is heavy, this isn’t possible. The thing that I find particularly frustrating is that a large percentage of the people joining the A50 do not either know or care that they are meant to give way and not force traffic already on the road to slow down or take avoiding action.
Did you not read Hoppers published guidance?aturnick54 said:
Had this happen a couple of times this week already.
Driving in lane 1 along the M1 motorway at 70mph. I often come across people that match your speed on the slip road and sit alongside you, they then force their way into lane 1 not caring that you are already there and have priority over them.
I had to slam on last night for a van that did it. Flashed my lights at him and he put his window down to give a load of abuse. Do these people really think they don't have to give way to vehicles already on the motorway? Why do drivers expect you to slow down or change lane to let them merge onto the motorway?
The standard of driving on motorways in the UK is terrible. I was always taught that I should either speed up or slow down on the slip road to fit into gaps between vehicles in lane 1. I never expect people to move into lane 2 and plan accordingly.
You're right the standard can be poor, but you're right at the centre of it, you have a duty to drive in a manner that enables the smooth and safe passage of traffic and you're not doing that, by your own admission you're blocking other cars, then slamming your brakes on whilst flashing your lights and generally being a nuisance all at motorway speeds. Driving in lane 1 along the M1 motorway at 70mph. I often come across people that match your speed on the slip road and sit alongside you, they then force their way into lane 1 not caring that you are already there and have priority over them.
I had to slam on last night for a van that did it. Flashed my lights at him and he put his window down to give a load of abuse. Do these people really think they don't have to give way to vehicles already on the motorway? Why do drivers expect you to slow down or change lane to let them merge onto the motorway?
The standard of driving on motorways in the UK is terrible. I was always taught that I should either speed up or slow down on the slip road to fit into gaps between vehicles in lane 1. I never expect people to move into lane 2 and plan accordingly.
Book a lesson with an advanced instructor they will explain to you where you're going wrong.
Nomme de Plum said:
budgie smuggler said:
_Hoppers said:
Quote from Roadcraft - The Police Driver's Handbook (The book that the IAM and RoSPA also use)
“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
What do they say about joining a motorway?“when you see a motorway exit, anticipate a slip road ahead and the possibility of traffic joining the motorway. If you are on the main carriageway, check your mirrors early and allow traffic to join the motorway by making slight adjustments your speed or changing lane”
Quote from DVSA - Safe Driving for Life
When you’re driving towards a junction, it’s important to scan well ahead to make sure that you’re aware of other road users joining or leaving the motorway: you may need to change lanes, if you can do so safely, to keep travelling at a steady speed
If you are interested you can look up the correct procedure when entering from a slip road.
Commercial vehicles oft cannot manoeuvre as rapidly as cars, 'White van man' excepted and therefore need to be given a bit more tolerance and space.
A significant amount of vehicles on the road pay absolutely no mind to the above whatsoever. I will often see a joining vehicle match somebody's speed and position almost exactly, merge across anyway, forcing the already established vehicle to brake heavily to avoid a collision.
Sometimes they'll even continue the move straight into lane 2 and force the vehicle in that lane to brake as well.
If I can't move into lane 2 to accommodate joiners, I keep a steady speed and a leave plenty of room front and back for them, allowing them to adjust speed to emerge ahead or behind (I don't mind which). If I'm in their blind spot, I'll usually slow a little to let them emerge ahead so I can see what's going on.
Wills2 said:
You're right the standard can be poor, but you're right at the centre of it, you have a duty to drive in a manner that enables the smooth and safe passage of traffic and you're not doing that, by your own admission you're blocking other cars, then slamming your brakes on whilst flashing your lights and generally being a nuisance all at motorway speeds.
Book a lesson with an advanced instructor they will explain to you where you're going wrong.
I wasn't blocking, but continuing in a lane which I had priority in. There was enough room in front and behind me for the vehicle to merge into. I flashed my lights to draw attention to the fact I was there, as they seemed pretty oblivious.Book a lesson with an advanced instructor they will explain to you where you're going wrong.
Motorway lessons should be compulsory IMO. They need to teach people lane discipline and how to merge properly (slip roads and lane closures in particular)
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff