Priority on slip roads
Discussion
One of the many things that bug me on modern roads are the way slip roads are used, however I also wonder if the rules have changed and I've missed something.
I was taught, both originally and by various ex-police drivers and ADIs I've been with in the last 30+ years that when using:
- an on slip, you position the car for best visibility of the road you're joining, within the bounds of the lanes available, so left most on an up slip and right most on a down slip, pick the gap you are going for early (making sure it is big enough) and adjust your cars speed to join without causing any other traffic to change speed or lane. The dotted white line is a give way sign and joining traffic does not have any right of way.
- an off slip, get into the LH lane early, don't tailgate as you approach the offslip, but don't slow down/brake until you are actually on the slip road, then deal with the next hazard (roundabout, junction etc.).
The rules now seem to be that traffic on the major road is expected to move lanes to make way for joining traffic. I can't find anything that says the rules have changed but I don't see anyone policing it so perhaps I'm behind the times.
Thioughts?
I was taught, both originally and by various ex-police drivers and ADIs I've been with in the last 30+ years that when using:
- an on slip, you position the car for best visibility of the road you're joining, within the bounds of the lanes available, so left most on an up slip and right most on a down slip, pick the gap you are going for early (making sure it is big enough) and adjust your cars speed to join without causing any other traffic to change speed or lane. The dotted white line is a give way sign and joining traffic does not have any right of way.
- an off slip, get into the LH lane early, don't tailgate as you approach the offslip, but don't slow down/brake until you are actually on the slip road, then deal with the next hazard (roundabout, junction etc.).
The rules now seem to be that traffic on the major road is expected to move lanes to make way for joining traffic. I can't find anything that says the rules have changed but I don't see anyone policing it so perhaps I'm behind the times.
Thioughts?
Lots of interesting comments here. In my original post I wasn't implying that I rigidly stay in lane 1 to enforce my rights, it is my interest to move out approaching a junction and avoid any risk of collision. The problem is as the HGV driver stated, when lorries (as an example) are forced out into lane 2 (which may be the outside lane) which then adds risk to everyone else. I can see how busy periods are less clear cut
The fact the responses vary does underline, I think, that there isn't a single "method" we all agree on, which is probably why I see so many "nearly" incidents. Out of interest, what method do driving instructors teach?
Interesting that the dotted white line is an edge of carriageway marker - if that were the case, then it would be solid as are edge of carriageway markers where there isn't a junction. At any other urban junction, the dotted white line is a give way indication (usually give way to the right) and I don't see why that would be any different at the end of a slip road. Surely our road markings should be consistent.
I guess I just keep driving defensively and hope I don't get tangled in someone else's incident
The fact the responses vary does underline, I think, that there isn't a single "method" we all agree on, which is probably why I see so many "nearly" incidents. Out of interest, what method do driving instructors teach?
Interesting that the dotted white line is an edge of carriageway marker - if that were the case, then it would be solid as are edge of carriageway markers where there isn't a junction. At any other urban junction, the dotted white line is a give way indication (usually give way to the right) and I don't see why that would be any different at the end of a slip road. Surely our road markings should be consistent.
I guess I just keep driving defensively and hope I don't get tangled in someone else's incident
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