Multilane sliproads and lane discipline
Multilane sliproads and lane discipline
Author
Discussion

donkmeister

Original Poster:

12,975 posts

130 months

Quite a few motorway and DC junctions have two lane sliproads, to avoid bunching.

Frequently, I end up stuck behind someone who has chosen the right-hand lane of the sliproad but isn't accelerating quickly enough to reach traffic speed before they join the main carriageway.

Today I decided I would just overtake on the left so I could reach a suitable speed before joining. I fully expect to feature in a "maniacs on Britain's roads" compilation with a text box claiming I was sentenced to 10 year's hard labour through Operation Snap.

But it made me wonder... Are sliproads subject to the nonsense where you are technically supposed to sit behind a lane hogger instead of just cracking on and passing them in the empty lane to their left? Or, given these lanes are intended for getting up to speed, is it fine to do that?

No, I haven't checked my Highway Code, this should be more entertaining.

simon_harris

3,185 posts

64 months

It is not illegal to pass someone on the left, it is illegal to overtake someone on the left.

all this thread will boil down to is an argument that both the above statements are the same.

Jo-say8k

331 posts

46 months

Moved left around an obstruction, Officer. wink

QBee

22,500 posts

174 months

No more at fault than someone who assumes they have a divine right to join a dual carrigeway from a slip road when there are no actual gaps in the traffic already on the dual carriageway, both lanes 1 and 2.

Terminator X

20,761 posts

234 months

More dangerous are the tts that stop at the give way lines on the slip road meaning everyone has to get from zero to 70mph in the blink of an eye!

TX.

IJWS15

2,235 posts

115 months

No, it is those who calmly drive down the slip road and try to merge into the side of a vehicle in lane 1. Someone did it to me this morning (passing traffic in lane 2) and half an hour later saw someone else do it to a coach.

Something seriously wrong with how we are teaching people to drive and what is assessed on the test.

DaveCWK

2,417 posts

204 months

sounds like sensible, reactive defensive driving that avoids you getting caught up in someone else's accident that results from their visible incompetence.

Collectingbrass

2,996 posts

225 months

Just remember not to cross any solid white lines and you'll be fine

_Hoppers

1,708 posts

95 months

Terminator X said:
More dangerous are the tts that stop at the give way lines on the slip road meaning everyone has to get from zero to 70mph in the blink of an eye!

TX.
[pedant]Not give way lines[/pedant]

_Hoppers

1,708 posts

95 months

QBee said:
No more at fault than someone who assumes they have a divine right to join a dual carrigeway from a slip road when there are no actual gaps in the traffic already on the dual carriageway, both lanes 1 and 2.
Maybe those already on the carriageway should take advice from the following?

The Police Driver's Handbook

“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”

And

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”

HTP99

25,314 posts

170 months

donkmeister said:
Quite a few motorway and DC junctions have two lane sliproads, to avoid bunching.

Frequently, I end up stuck behind someone who has chosen the right-hand lane of the sliproad but isn't accelerating quickly enough to reach traffic speed before they join the main carriageway.

Today I decided I would just overtake on the left so I could reach a suitable speed before joining. I fully expect to feature in a "maniacs on Britain's roads" compilation with a text box claiming I was sentenced to 10 year's hard labour through Operation Snap.

But it made me wonder... Are sliproads subject to the nonsense where you are technically supposed to sit behind a lane hogger instead of just cracking on and passing them in the empty lane to their left? Or, given these lanes are intended for getting up to speed, is it fine to do that?

No, I haven't checked my Highway Code, this should be more entertaining.
I do this all the time, as in pass on the inside on a sliproad, happens most mornings, someone in L2 trundling along at 40 to join a 70 carriageway. it is worse when the slower car or lorry pulls over to L1 and then someone in L2 sits on their rear 3/4, when there is plenty of space for them to put their foot down to go past the person in L1, this really gets on my tits!!

Terminator X

20,761 posts

234 months

_Hoppers said:
Terminator X said:
More dangerous are the tts that stop at the give way lines on the slip road meaning everyone has to get from zero to 70mph in the blink of an eye!

TX.
[pedant]Not give way lines[/pedant]
"When you join the motorway, you must give way to traffic already on the motorway; you do not have an automatic right to merge and should match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane"

TX.

E-bmw

13,487 posts

182 months

_Hoppers said:
QBee said:
No more at fault than someone who assumes they have a divine right to join a dual carrigeway from a slip road when there are no actual gaps in the traffic already on the dual carriageway, both lanes 1 and 2.
Maybe those already on the carriageway should take advice from the following?

The Police Driver's Handbook

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

And

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
All very well & good apart from the fact that the "hazard" lane dividers at the run up to and the lead away from the junction indicate by principle that you should not change lane in that area.

PorkInsider

6,618 posts

171 months

Terminator X said:
_Hoppers said:
Terminator X said:
More dangerous are the tts that stop at the give way lines on the slip road meaning everyone has to get from zero to 70mph in the blink of an eye!

TX.
[pedant]Not give way lines[/pedant]
"When you join the motorway, you must give way to traffic already on the motorway; you do not have an automatic right to merge and should match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane"

TX.
And therefore "the tts that stop at the give way lines..." are correct to do so if it's so busy that they can't join the carriageway.


Super Sonic

14,506 posts

84 months

simon_harris said:
It is not illegal to pass someone on the left, it is illegal to overtake someone on the left.

all this thread will boil down to is an argument that both the above statements are the same.
No, they are contradictory. The first one is true, the second is false.
getmecoat

Terminator X

20,761 posts

234 months

PorkInsider said:
Terminator X said:
_Hoppers said:
Terminator X said:
More dangerous are the tts that stop at the give way lines on the slip road meaning everyone has to get from zero to 70mph in the blink of an eye!

TX.
[pedant]Not give way lines[/pedant]
"When you join the motorway, you must give way to traffic already on the motorway; you do not have an automatic right to merge and should match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane"

TX.
And therefore "the tts that stop at the give way lines..." are correct to do so if it's so busy that they can't join the carriageway.
Are you insane. Match their speed and you can join any time you like.

TX.

nikaiyo2

5,965 posts

225 months

It’s awful J11 M3 south bound is terrible the shape of the round about sort of pushes cars to the outside lane but the number who stay there and just poodle along. More often than not I just pass on the left.

VSKeith

1,980 posts

77 months

nikaiyo2 said:
It s awful J11 M3 south bound is terrible the shape of the round about sort of pushes cars to the outside lane but the number who stay there and just poodle along. More often than not I just pass on the left.
Exactly the spot I was picturing while reading this thread

VSKeith

1,980 posts

77 months

Terminator X said:
Are you insane. Match their speed and you can join any time you like.

TX.
Not always possible to do safely. A lot of road users don’t perceive the lines as ‘give way’ and barge in regardless.