Bad Driving

Nearly_Old

In general there are a lot of drivers in the UK that do not understand / appreciate the meaning of various signs and lines - as some of the posts demonstrate. The Line to Diagram 1003 that separates a slip road from Lane 1 is a legal Give Way marking and as is quite normal traffic on the major route has the right of way.

Quote from The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions that provide the legal standing for all signs, lines and other road markings in the UK:

Road marking shown in diagram 1003: give way25.—
(1) The requirements conveyed to vehicular traffic on roads by the road marking consisting of the transverse lines shown in diagram 1003 shall be as follows.

(2) Except as provided by paragraphs (3) to (6), the requirement conveyed by the transverse lines shown in diagram 1003, whether or not they are placed in conjunction with the sign shown in diagram 602 or 1023, shall be that no vehicle shall proceed past such one of those lines as is nearer the major road into that road in a manner or at a time likely to endanger the driver of or any passenger in a vehicle on the major road or to cause the driver of such a vehicle to change its speed or course [My highlight]in order to avoid an accident.

The legal obligation rests entirely with the vehicle entering from the slip [minor] road.

The full text is here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/regulation/25/made

thegirlintheattic

It's not always possible to move from lane 1 to allow traffic to join easily. At the end of the day motorway traffic has priority, it's courteous and sensible to move over if possible but if not the car joining the motorway has to alter their speed in order to merge with the traffic.

londonTiger

So what the hell do you do on the slip road then.. Do you turn your head driving at 40mph to make sure there is a gap in traffic on the motor way? And what happens if while you've got your head turn looking at the motorway traffic you drive into the car in front?

mikey72

londonTiger wrote: »

So what the hell do you do on the slip road then.. Do you turn your head driving at 40mph to make sure there is a gap in traffic on the motor way? And what happens if while you've got your head turn looking at the motorway traffic you drive into the car in front?

Same as anywhere else. You have insurance claim against you, and possibly a whiplash payout. Then learn to drive better. The car in front was there before you turned your head.

Crabman

londonTiger wrote: »

So what the hell do you do on the slip road then.. Do you turn your head driving at 40mph to make sure there is a gap in traffic on the motor way? And what happens if while you've got your head turn looking at the motorway traffic you drive into the car in front?

If you drive safely by keeping an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front, it won't be an issue.

You should be thinking ahead, i.e. looking at the traffic situation as you drive down the slip road and adjusting your speed so you can safely slot in to your target gap.

A shoulder check is always recommended to check your blind spot and confirm the availability of a safe gap in lane 1. It takes only half a second.

SHIPSHAPE

londonTiger wrote: »

So what the hell do you do on the slip road then.. Do you turn your head driving at 40mph to make sure there is a gap in traffic on the motor way? And what happens if while you've got your head turn looking at the motorway traffic you drive into the car in front?

It's all about judgment, if it is safe for you to join a motorway from a slip road at speed then great, if not, you only join if it is safe to do so, which may include a wait.

Unless, of course, the slip road has a dedicated lane onto a major road.

However, the simple fact is, motorway traffic has priority.

rdwarr

Having stopped at the bottom of the slip road (ignore those "pig-ignorant people behind you sounding their horns) remember to pull straight out into the middle lane where you can continue your journey comfortably at 50mph.
As for "I was taught...", who was your instructor? Mr Bean???

Lum

They've clearly been reading the Middle Lane Owners Club guide to motorway driving.

(Full disclosure: I wrote that site back in 2006. It doesn't make any money though)

pulliptears

Lum wrote: »

They've clearly been reading the Middle Lane Owners Club guide to motorway driving.

(Full disclosure: I wrote that site back in 2006. It doesn't make any money though)

This made me smile:

Sold the Marina, bought a Subaru Impreza

When I was driving down to South Wales a few weeks ago I followed the most daring of drivers in a Type R. She had real gusto, safely overtaking when the car in front was slower, wrapping the thing around roundabouts, bends etc. It was when we pulled level with her to turn at a set of lights we looked over and saw a little old lady who must have been 80 if a day. Never have I seen an old person drive a fast car with such joy, she was loving it! OH and I just saw slack jawed as she flawed it and disappeared in the other direction

aliasojo

pulliptears wrote: »

It was when we pulled level with her to turn at a set of lights we looked over and saw a little old lady who must have been 80 if a day. Never have I seen an old person drive a fast car with such joy, she was loving it! OH and I just saw slack jawed as she flawed it and disappeared in the other direction

Well I met her exact opposite today.

Old bloke doing 30 , slowing down to nothing on the slip road. I had no choice but to practically stop behind him (there's a grass verge between the slip road and main carriageway, he slowed to nothing at the end of the verge).

My heart was beating faster this morning.