Merging onto motorways....

**Andy** · 3rd January 2006, 17:49

Heres a subject thats bound to create a debate.... but something most of us encounter everyday and although the highway code states one thing, in practise there seems to be an unwritten alternative rule that just leads to confusion.

Picture the scene.... you are happily traveling along the dual carriageway/motorway at a steady 70mph on the inside lane. As you approach the downramp of a junction you cast youre eyes to the left to see a car approaching the motorway from the entry ramp at approx the same speed as you. As you near the point of joining its obvious one of you is going to have to change speed/direction to avoid a collision.

Now, in practise, where possible, people read ahead and move into the middle lane to allow the car to join the motorway. The IAM also advises reading well ahead and move into the middle lane early to allow you to maintain a steady pace.
The highway code says nothing about this, but rather informs the car entering the motorway to adjust their speed to merge safely with the cars already on the motorway.

Whats right and whats wrong.

**Phatty** · 3rd January 2006, 17:56

i took my test around 3 years ago now, and i was always told that i was the one who had to alter my speed when entering a dual carriageway/motorway etc
when already driving on a motorway/carriageway i was taught to read ahead and give way to entering cars by moving into the next lane if possible.
so i guess they try and teach both parties to do the right thing... but as you say, we all know thats not how it works!!

**Andy** · 3rd January 2006, 18:05

Well heres the extract from the highway code:

Driving on the motorway
Joining the motorway
233: When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway.
A. You should give priority to traffic already on the motorway
B. check the traffic on the motorway and adjust your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
C. not cross solid white lines that separate lanes
D. stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
E. remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.

That doesnt happen in practise....

**Duncan** · 3rd January 2006, 18:09

It has to be the person joining the dual-carriageway/motorway that has to give way.

I've had cases where I've been on the inside lane as someone was joining from my left. Normally I'd just move out into the next lane and allow them to join, but sometimes I haven't been able to do that as there has been a vehicle on my right stopping me. As it wouldn't be safe for me to hit the brakes (given that I'm on a fast moving carriageway), it has to be the person joining who has to adjust their speed accordingly.

Of course, you get the idiots who feel they have the right of way to join the carriageway as they please and practically take off your front wing in the process. If I'm trying to join a carriageway, and I can see that the person can't pull out for the same reasons I gave above, I just boot it and get ahead of them before joining the carriageway - saves any hassle!!

D

**vectra 2.0 t** · 3rd January 2006, 18:10

my mates girlfriend shortly after passing her test drove to the beginning of the slip road and stopped to give way.i dont think he let her drive on the motorway again

**vectra 2.0 t** · 3rd January 2006, 18:15

Originally Posted by Duncan

It has to be the person joining the dual-carriageway/motorway that has to give way.

I've had cases where I've been on the inside lane as someone was joining from my left. Normally I'd just move out into the next lane and allow them to join, but sometimes I haven't been able to do that as there has been a vehicle on my right stopping me. As it wouldn't be safe for me to hit the brakes (given that I'm on a fast moving carriageway), it has to be the person joining who has to adjust their speed accordingly.

Of course, you get the idiots who feel they have the right of way to join the carriageway as they please and practically take off your front wing in the process. If I'm trying to join a carriageway, and I can see that the person can't pull out for the same reasons I gave above, I just boot it and get ahead of them before joining the carriageway - saves any hassle!!

D

same here duncan mind you if you think its bad in a car you want to try it in a wagon with all of its blind spots

**GARY3306** · 3rd January 2006, 19:53

Originally Posted by vectra 2.0 t

same here duncan mind you if you think its bad in a car you want to try it in a wagon with all of its blind spots

I think they should make people drive an Artic for a week, especially women (awaiting retalliatory posts from Louise and Dawn now). Then they would know what it is like. People see an artic coming along the carriageway and just think that they don't matter and can be cut up. They are slower than cars so it's alright. I would much rather cut a 1/2T car up than a 48T truck.

**VectraMat** · 3rd January 2006, 19:58

Can i just point out, the line that runs along side the left hand lane of a dual carridgeway/motorway turns to a dotted or dashed like where the downramp joins the motorway. Now when i did my test just a little over 18months ago, i was taught that dotted or dashed lines mean give way. this would mean that the car joining the motorway must give way to those already on the motorway, however i am one of the few people that actually move over to allow cars to join the motorway and not have to slow down.

Just wish drivers were a little more generous sometimes.

**GARY3306** · 3rd January 2006, 20:03

Originally Posted by VauxhallVectraMat

Can i just point out, the line that runs along side the left hand lane of a dual carridgeway/motorway turns to a dotted or dashed like where the downramp joins the motorway. Now when i did my test just a little over 18months ago, i was taught that dotted or dashed lines mean give way. this would mean that the car joining the motorway must give way to those already on the motorway, however i am one of the few people that actually move over to allow cars to join the motorway and not have to slow down.

Just wish drivers were a little more generous sometimes.

Couldn't agree more, and I will ALWAYS move over to let people on IF IT IS SAFE AND CONVENIENT for me to do so. I think the point Andy is making is when the carriageway is heaving and you just can't move over, what gives. The bottom line is, the person entering the carriageway GIVES WAY, simple as.

**Andy** · 3rd January 2006, 20:12

sort of gary, the point i was making was that no-one really knows what youre meant to do. The highway code says you dont give way to cars merging onto the motorway, they have to merge with you, yet driving instructors and the IAM say that you should move over if you can to allow a steady pace.... all contradictory