Using a slip road.

[SebastienClement]

Dear PH.

I am becoming increasingly sure I need some form of re-education regarding the usage of slip roads when joining dual carriageways and the like.

I was under the impression it was perhaps best to use slip roads to accelerate the the speed of the traffic already on the dual carriageway and then merge into the lane, causing as little (no) dsruption as possible to the flow of traffic.

I use a 2 mile stretch of dual carriageway every day on my trip to and from work, and despite having generous slip roads, people seem to think it prudent to force their way onto the main carriageway as soon as (and sometimes before) the hatched area has finished.

I have also witnessed two light road rage incidents this week when someone 'forces' their way from the slip road onto the carriageway where they really shouldn't / cause another vehicle to move over to L2, which could have been very easily avoided, IMO.

As far as I'm aware (and I may very well be wrong, I haven't had a chance to check) slip roads are to be treated to a give way - obviously the traffic on the main carriageway has right of way and doesn't have to give way to those joining.

Is that correct or am I doing it all wrong?

[SuperchargedVR6]

Yeah slip roads are give way to the DC and forcing your way out is wrong. As mentioned in a different road craft thread, some people treat indication as an automatic right of way and force their way into gaps that don't exist.

The thing is though, I've noticed a related trend these days. Zombies in the inside lane not moving over to allow slip roadees onto the DC when the right land is empty. Half asleep, texting, changing a CD, or just not observant, or even just pig headedness. What ever the reason, if people just woke up, looked futher ahead than the end of their own bonnet and showed some consideration to others, these kind of annoyances wouldn't exist.

But of course, such utopia is unlikely in this country.

[Prawo Jazdy]

From the Highway Code 11.2.7a:

- Dribble down the slip road at no more than 40mph;
- Do not signal your intention to join the carriageway;
- Immediately move from the slip road to either lane 2 or 3, depending on your preference;
- Upon finishing your phone call, begin accelerating to 67mph in the highest gear available;
- Check your mirrors.

Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Thursday 8th November 15:57

[SebastienClement]

Prawo Jazdy said:

From the Highway Code 11.2.7a:

- Dribble down the slip road at no more than 40mph;
- Do not signal your intention to join the carriageway;
- Immediately move from the slip road to either lane 2 or 3, depending on your preference;
- Upon finishing you phone call, begin accelerating to 67mph in the highest gear available;
- Check your mirrors.

Knew I'd been doing it wrong

[Andehh]

SebastienClement said:

Prawo Jazdy said:

From the Highway Code 11.2.7a:

- Dribble down the slip road at no more than 40mph;
- Do not signal your intention to join the carriageway;
- Immediately move from the slip road to either lane 2 or 3, depending on your preference;
- Upon finishing you phone call, begin accelerating to 67mph in the highest gear available;
- Check your mirrors.

Knew I'd been doing it wrong

Yep, that's the 'done' thing on the M25 these days! Can't argue with stupid people en mass....