Slip road merging, why is it so hard?
Discussion
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.
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.
Or if theres room it's polite to spot them and move over a lane to give them plenty of room to merge in?
My fav peeve is a two lane slip road that merges to one at the end. You zipper so as to create space to join the motorway, take the outside lane, slow slightly to merge behind an oncoming lorry, and some muppet goes flying up the inside to be confronted by the lorry, that won't move...
My fav peeve is a two lane slip road that merges to one at the end. You zipper so as to create space to join the motorway, take the outside lane, slow slightly to merge behind an oncoming lorry, and some muppet goes flying up the inside to be confronted by the lorry, that won't move...
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
“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
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.
So you’re saying you either: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.
Don’t anticipate that someone is going to come level with you at the merge
Or you
Do anticipate the issue but decide actively not to fix the issue
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.
had this a couple of timesDriving 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.
Short slip road, accelerate but knob in lane one refuses to move into lane two to allow you to smoothly move into lane one.
Thing is, in L1 you have time to judge, anticipate and adjust speed & position. On some slip roads in the UK you only see the traffic speed and position quite late with limited time to view, adjust and manoeuvre especially in an underpowered car/van.
Of course its for both to anticipate, but if you get a bloody minded driver in L1 who sits at a fixed speed and isn't prepared to do their part it can cause 'issues'.
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.
Was lane 2 clear and could you have moved across to aid their move into lane 1?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.
could you have not have lifted off slightly or accelerated slightly to let them drop in front / behind you?
did you point at your dashcam and yell "CAMMRAAAHHH" when he began abusing you?
Byker28i said:
Or if theres room it's polite to spot them and move over a lane to give them plenty of room to merge in?
My fav peeve is a two lane slip road that merges to one at the end. You zipper so as to create space to join the motorway, take the outside lane, slow slightly to merge behind an oncoming lorry, and some muppet goes flying up the inside to be confronted by the lorry, that won't move...
And if there isn't room to move over?My fav peeve is a two lane slip road that merges to one at the end. You zipper so as to create space to join the motorway, take the outside lane, slow slightly to merge behind an oncoming lorry, and some muppet goes flying up the inside to be confronted by the lorry, that won't move...
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.
fozzymandeus said:
So you’re saying you either:
Don’t anticipate that someone is going to come level with you at the merge
Or you
Do anticipate the issue but decide actively not to fix the issue
Why is it the job of the person who has priority to anticipate and take corrective action? The person that should be correcting by adjusting speed is the person who is joining the motorway.Don’t anticipate that someone is going to come level with you at the merge
Or you
Do anticipate the issue but decide actively not to fix the issue
The problem is that people now think that people must move over for them, and that they do not have to give way when joining a motorway or dual carriageway.
aturnick54 said:
Why is it the job of the person who has priority to anticipate and take corrective action? The person that should be correcting by adjusting speed is the person who is joining the motorway.
.
Because it makes things safer for everyone and improves traffic flow. If lane 2 is empty why wouldn't you move out?.
I,ll go against most here. I,am with the Op. People joining at 40mph shouldn't be forcing people doing 60mph in lane 1 into lane 2 as IMHO that the slows down lane 2 who might be doing 70mph, then 3 and so on. M56 everyday....
Oh and people who get straight into lane 2 on the join slip doing said 40mph, idiots.
Oh and people who get straight into lane 2 on the join slip doing said 40mph, idiots.
Edited by vaderface on Tuesday 16th April 15:55
Gary C said:
had this a couple of times
Short slip road, accelerate but knob in lane one refuses to move into lane two to allow you to smoothly move into lane one.
Thing is, in L1 you have time to judge, anticipate and adjust speed & position. On some slip roads in the UK you only see the traffic speed and position quite late with limited time to view, adjust and manoeuvre especially in an underpowered car/van.
Of course its for both to anticipate, but if you get a bloody minded driver in L1 who sits at a fixed speed and isn't prepared to do their part it can cause 'issues'.
The instance with the van was an extended slip road, he had plenty of time to see me and join at an appropriate speed.Short slip road, accelerate but knob in lane one refuses to move into lane two to allow you to smoothly move into lane one.
Thing is, in L1 you have time to judge, anticipate and adjust speed & position. On some slip roads in the UK you only see the traffic speed and position quite late with limited time to view, adjust and manoeuvre especially in an underpowered car/van.
Of course its for both to anticipate, but if you get a bloody minded driver in L1 who sits at a fixed speed and isn't prepared to do their part it can cause 'issues'.
I'd be interested to know how it would go from an insurance point of view in a collision, as the person joining has failed to give way. The vehicle in lane one is not at fault.
I find this is only ever an issue in the UK. Having driven thousands of miles across Europe, merging is handled much better on the continent. Of course moving over into lane two where possible, however it is not always possible and should not be expected.
Fox- said:
Because it makes things safer for everyone and improves traffic flow. If lane 2 is empty why wouldn't you move out?
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.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?
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff