Same law since motorway's were built.

[zabado]

Why do people think it's their right of way when joining a motorway ?.I drive a HGV so if I'm driving down a motorway and there is room, and it's safe for me to pull into the second lane to let you on the motorway I will. But obviously if there is another vehicle there I can't.So would all the drivers who are giving me the "V" sign for not moving out read the hi-way code and adjust your speed. Slow down to come on behind me or accelerate off down the slip road.I can't pull into the second lane if there's somebody in it.(some of these driver's have no understanding just how heavy or what damage 44 ton can do).

[tenrec]

Absolutely agree with all zabado has said.

[humbersloop]

yep I reckon zab's right all the way, as is ssdean.

If you're joining a flow of traffic, you make the adjustments, not the traffic flow to you.

Hefty amounts of metal hurtling round at some velocity -rules might be there for a reason other than courtesy

[lcg]

some people are complete Salad Bowls, zab. i'm glad i don't drive - i'd end up probably running someone over! x

[SpikeyBush]

One thing I find a potential hazard here that hasn't been addressed is people returning to the nearside lane after overtaking (as you should do, not hog the middle or outsid lane) just as a sliproad ends. So you have someone joining the motorway and someone else retrning to the nearside lane. Both drivers are in each other's blind spot. Result is both lose their NCD at best, and someone loses much more at worst.

When driving on the continent there was an unbroken line sealing off the nearside lane where sliproads join the main carriageway, so if you were already in the middle lane overtaking a lorry or a malfunctioning FIAT then you had to stay in that lane until after the junction when the solid white line finished.

[Khandro]

SB; I've read your post 4 times and I can't quite grasp what you are saying,- in fact it's making my head hurt. Would you please mind re-phrasing it.

[beso]

Khandro //In the most recent edition of the Highway Code, courtesy is stressed as a requirement, not an option, but this of course goes for everyone, including those entering. //

So does the courtesy to the entering motorist override the courtesy to the driver in the next lane that the HGV would need to force off the road to make room?

As zabado pointed out, many car drivers have no idea of the limitations of a HGV to change its speed.

[Khandro]

All of this seems to be based on the false premiss that it is more difficult to adjust the speed of lorries than it is of cars. for info see; http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/stopping.htm

[alzheimer]

I always consider it good manners - which cost nothing - to TRY to give way - if I can. I certainly appreciate it when somebdy manages to pull over to let me join the flow if traffic.
Having frequently experienced thoughtless drivers coming off a slipway onto the dual-carriageway at speed and with no intention of slowing and expecting to get away with it and nearly causing an accident......I now anticipate these slip-roads out of our local city and move into the fast lane some time before reaching the junction. Sometimes of course I am the one that gets hooted at because I refuse to go over 70 and the road hogs behind me think I am being awkward......until they see a vehicle thundering onto the inside lane off the slip-road .....LOL
Mind you - some of them are stupid enough to try passing me on the inside - totally illegally in the UK -and then they soon get the message....EEK

[jammymildred]

Of course it is polite, if you can, to move over to let oncoming traffic join the road from the slip road but there is no right and drivers using motorways should have the ability to judge their speed and slot in where it is safe to do so, not piddle up to the end of the slip road and just drift out as so many do!
It is also infuriating to move over for a driver who then zooms onto the motorway and matches your speed on the inside lane, and does not want to let you get back over.

[Shredder11]

What if you are a middle lane hog that does a constant speed of 80mph to 90mph, thus not getting in the way of people joining the motorway, plus not getting under the feet of people in the third lane doing 130mph?

Just a thought... ;-)

[EDDIE51]

I have always thought that there shouild be a 2nd driving test if you want to drive on a motorway , the present situation is absurd . A new driver can pass the test having never driven outside a town centre at under 30 mph in daylight, then go on to the M25 in darkness and in the rush hour at 70 mph. It is very near suicidal .

[Charlie911]

I am a car driver nowadays, but ex bus driver, lorry driver, white van man etc. I completely agree with you zabado, Itoo always move over if I can to allow drivers to leave the slip road. But I had a bad experience today. I was being over taken by a coach as I was passing a slip road. Some nutter in a white van sped down the slip road at some speed, and instead of using his mirrors and reading the situation simply pulled straight out in front of me causing me to hit both him and the coach! Luckily he was the only one hurt but then tried to say, "Well you hit me mate!" Thankfully e coach driver and 3 of his passengers wrote me a statement there and then, and gave me their names and address's. Honestly! The police attended due to him 'claiming' to be hurt and also told me not to worry but what an idiot. There was nothing I could do as he sped past me on the slip road and just pulled straight out in front of me. Still a bit haken to be honest and now have got to get another car as mine was written off :-( Not happy!

[zabado]

Sorry to hear of your accident Charlie.Lets hope it will make the R sole in the white van think next time.But something tells me it won't.

[Confusious]

Don't drive an HGV but am in complete agreement with zabado!