Worried

cyclonebri1

Inactive wrote: »

But illegal, hardly good advice to give to a new driver.:rolleyes:

Which do you consider the most hazardous? I know what I think.

You have to bear in mind the OP had got herself in an awkward position born out of experience. I for one think that considering that, she did the right thing.
The hard shoulder is for use in emergencies, I would have thought this was just such a time, certainly safer than panic braking to a standstill.

Of course the correct advice has been given by most all of us - learn to drive :rolleyes:

Inactive

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Which do you consider the most hazardous? I know what I think.

:

It doesn't matter what you or I, or anyone " thinks " it is illegal...period.

anewman

Inactive wrote: »

It doesn't matter what you or I, or anyone " thinks " it is illegal...period.

Tell that to the Audi TT driver I passed on the hardshoulder of the M621 yesterday who was on the phone, then he overtook me. Breakdown? Emergency? Yeah right!

Hintza

Inactive wrote: »

It doesn't matter what you or I, or anyone " thinks " it is illegal...period.

There are many things that are illegal but in some situations you have to make a common sense decision in the interest of other road users and general safety.

Nothing can be that black and white.

Alias_Omega

Quietgirl wrote: »

Hi There,

I am a new driver, past my test a month ago. I like to think I am a careful driver. I am 35 so not a young girl racer.

On sunday, I went on the motorway for the first time. I took my daughter to the seaside. On the way home, I was on the slip road to join the motorway, I was indicating to pull out onto the motorway. However, it was busy and this lorry would not move into the next lane to let me in. In the end I ended up running out of road. In my mind I thought well I can't stop, and then join the motorway, I can't pull out as that would cause and accident. So instead, I foolishly went onto the hard shoulder, accelorated and pulled out in front of this lorry. Perhaps I should have stopped on the hard shoulder instead. I don't know, unfortunately being a new driver I have yet to get the experience in how to deal with this sort of situation.

Now I am worried if there was CCTV on the motorway, or if there was a police car around that I might get a letter to prosecute me for this.

What should I have done ?

Nothing will happen, lorry does not have to pull over but its nice if they did. I think you hesitated on the slip road, next time i would just 'floor it' or give it some 'hoof' and you'll be well past it..

anewman

Alias_Omega wrote: »

Nothing will happen, lorry does not have to pull over but its nice if they did. I think you hesitated on the slip road, next time i would just 'floor it' or give it some 'hoof' and you'll be well past it..

I think this is bad advice. A lorry will not change speed they always keep pedal to metal. It's often easier to slow down and slot in behind, especially if you're a little inexperienced.

HP_Guy

Agree with the Pass Plus. I did it - great confidence boost. Also got my first years NCD straightaway - which of course stayed with me - on my first renewal, I then had 2 years NCD!

When I had my motorways lesson, I came off and had to turn around.

INSTRUCTOR: "Right, let's learn how to reverse around a corner properly now!"

cyclonebri1

Hintza wrote: »

There are many things that are illegal but in some situations you have to make a common sense decision in the interest of other road users and general safety.

Nothing can be that black and white.

Exactly.:T

Its called a dynamic risk assesment, we make them everyday of our lives;)

Inactive

Hintza wrote: »

There are many things that are illegal but in some situations you have to make a common sense decision in the interest of other road users and general safety.

Nothing can be that black and white.

It can if it is the law I'm afraid, strange that I have never ended up on the hard shoulder, in the described circumstances.

Telling anybody that it is OK to join a Motorway from ther Hard Shoulder is quite bluntly, seriously bad advice.

goldspanners

Quietgirl wrote: »

I like to think I am a careful driver.

this is the problem,after 1 month of driving you think you are a careful driver.
if you cant use your mirrors to judge traffic,especially lories as they are restricted to 56 MPH, so they are hardly going to rapidly increase thier speed on a motorway.
a slip road is a give way,if you need to stop then you need to stop. DO NOT use the hard shoulder,what if further up the hard shoulder while you are undertaking this lorry at over 56 MPH there was a car broken down,what would you have done then? grass verge perhaps?
new driver or not this is the unacceptable driving standard we are seeing more and more of on roads,people dont know what to do in simple situations that are easily avoidable with a bit of forward thinking,use the brake to adjust your speed aswell as the accelerator.