Penalty Notice from Council

NBLondon

This "queue jumping" idea is pretty powerful - even to the point of assuming everything is a queue...

You should merge when it is safe to do so - anywhere from the first warning to the last - depending on how heavy the traffic is. If it's busy enough for 2 lines at slow speed then both lines to the end and merge in turn is the smoothest flow - which is better for everyone and stops the "queue" extending back into a roundabout or junction. If you are already in Lane 1 - stay in Lane 1 - going out to Lane 2 and then back in further up would be breaking Rule 288 and you can call that "queue jumping" if you like. Yes - there are idiots who do that and other idiots who then decide to block them as a punishment (because tutting no longer works like it did in the 1950s...)

Some sites have explicit signs to Use Both Lanes and Merge in Turn - when this point needs to be made because of drivers (not just Rover drivers) who cannot get out of this Queue mindset. The approach to the Northbound Blackwall Tunnel (A102) is the one I see most often. Doesn't mean the same approach can't be applied if there aren't signs. Rule 134 tells us that Merge in Turn should be done at slow speeds... If the road is empty enough to be travelling at more than 30mph, there should be room to merge earlier without causing a tailback so an explicit sign isn't needed.

dannyrst

NBLondon wrote: »

This "queue jumping" idea is pretty powerful - even to the point of assuming everything is a queue...

You should merge when it is safe to do so - anywhere from the first warning to the last - depending on how heavy the traffic is. If it's busy enough for 2 lines at slow speed then both lines to the end and merge in turn is the smoothest flow - which is better for everyone and stops the "queue" extending back into a roundabout or junction. If you are already in Lane 1 - stay in Lane 1 - going out to Lane 2 and then back in further up would be breaking Rule 288 and you can call that "queue jumping" if you like. Yes - there are idiots who do that and other idiots who then decide to block them as a punishment (because tutting no longer works like it did in the 1950s...)

Some sites have explicit signs to Use Both Lanes and Merge in Turn - when this point needs to be made because of drivers (not just Rover drivers) who cannot get out of this Queue mindset. The approach to the Northbound Blackwall Tunnel (A102) is the one I see most often. Doesn't mean the same approach can't be applied if there aren't signs. Rule 134 tells us that Merge in Turn should be done at slow speeds... If the road is empty enough to be travelling at more than 30mph, there should be room to merge earlier without causing a tailback so an explicit sign isn't needed.

This is what I wanted to type but was too lazy to.

Guest101

Rover_Driver wrote: »

They should only use both lanes and expect to merge in turn if that is what the signs show. That is one of the problems, drivers who use that approach where it does not apply.

Agreed.


There's just a bit of road near where I live which is often an issue


https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.0548752,-2.8042508,3a,75y,300.84h,77.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skBC2I-49-pr3qDN5g0GgyA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

almillar

if the markings are to move out of the closed lane and merge before reaching the merge point, that is what you should do, and not drive up to the merge point and then try to force your way in.

No forcing.
I know what you mean, Rover Driver, but this is in queuing traffic, not free flowing traffic.
In free flowing traffic, you're right, flying right up to the end faster than everyone else, THEN looking for a gap, is bad. I'm talking about queuing traffic. Use both lanes, merge in turn. Don't get angry sitting in a queue watching us drive past - join us!

That then causes the stop-start and delays at the merge point for the through traffic.

NO. merging in turn, with driverless cars, would mean everyone's speed halves, and everyone knows what happens at the end. It's angry humans that either want to force their way in, or are determined that someone doesn't get in, that messes things up.

Again, I AM NOT talking about ignoring lane closure signs whilst driving at speed.