Lane change denied on Autobahn
Discussion
On a German Autobahn (no limit, 3 lanes) near Frankfurt in the late evening this weekend, I was in lane 1 driving at 115km/h.
There was a long slip road ahead with a very small old car driving at 75km/h. I could see that we might collide at the the end of the slip road if neither of us adjusted.
I took the opportunity to signal and start to manoeuvre into lane 2 where another car was approaching at about 130km/h but quite a way behind. I very gently merged into lane 2 still at 115km/h and I was straddling the lane marking when the car behind flashed his lights and sped up slightly. I believe flashing lights in Germany means "I'm coming" so I remained straddling the lane markings and all three of us reached the same point in line with the end of the slip road at about the same time; ie across two quite wide lanes.
It transpired that the faster car was soon to leave the Autobahn hence his/her reluctance to go to the (empty) lane 3.
What I could have done better here?
There was a long slip road ahead with a very small old car driving at 75km/h. I could see that we might collide at the the end of the slip road if neither of us adjusted.
I took the opportunity to signal and start to manoeuvre into lane 2 where another car was approaching at about 130km/h but quite a way behind. I very gently merged into lane 2 still at 115km/h and I was straddling the lane marking when the car behind flashed his lights and sped up slightly. I believe flashing lights in Germany means "I'm coming" so I remained straddling the lane markings and all three of us reached the same point in line with the end of the slip road at about the same time; ie across two quite wide lanes.
It transpired that the faster car was soon to leave the Autobahn hence his/her reluctance to go to the (empty) lane 3.
What I could have done better here?
Unfortunately it's often not obvious to me what to do in lane 1 when there are vehicles on the slip road, especially when they don't seem to be taking much notice of other vehicles.
I was taught to maintain speed in lane 1 and let them adjust to me. But this results in too many too-close-for-comfort events.
I was taught to maintain speed in lane 1 and let them adjust to me. But this results in too many too-close-for-comfort events.
Thanks for the answers. Better to be challenged by you guys than the Polizei! Yes I had the cruise control on.
The way I see it is that the thinking should be in this order:
1. OK to stay in lane 1 maintaining speed? If no,
2. OK to change to lane 2 maintaining speed? If no,
3. OK to change to lane 2 increasing speed? If no,
4. Stay in lane 1 and brake.
Is that right?
The way I see it is that the thinking should be in this order:
1. OK to stay in lane 1 maintaining speed? If no,
2. OK to change to lane 2 maintaining speed? If no,
3. OK to change to lane 2 increasing speed? If no,
4. Stay in lane 1 and brake.
Is that right?
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