Lane 2 etiquette when passing an on - slip

[cat__]

Hello,
When in lane 2 of a motorway passing an on slip, should you still be looking to overtake traffic on lane one (specifically HGV’s) or should you anticipate that those vehicle(s) will want to move into your lane to allow traffic from the slip to merge, and ease off (therefore potentially be travelling at a similar speed to them but behind them in lane 2)?

What is the correct thing to do here? (When lane 3 is occupied)

Thanks

[_Hoppers]

If it's apparent that they will need to move to lane two to safely allow vehicles to merge I'd back off if I couldn't safely pass them or merge into lane 3. IMHO this is a safer thing to do than expect the joining vehicle to have to stop on the slip.

Edited by _Hoppers on Tuesday 24th September 09:10

[NS66]

_Hoppers said:

If it's apparent that they will need to move to lane two to safely allow vehicles to merge I'd back off if I couldn't safely pass them or merge into lane 3. IMHO this is a safer thing to do than expect the joining vehicle to have to stop on the slip.

Edited by _Hoppers on Tuesday 24th September 09:10

Surely its just a matter of manners/ etiquette to move over when a vehicle enters from a slip road and not a requirement, plus not always safe to do so? Its down to the driver entering from the slip road to make comparable speed to join / slot in with lane 1 traffic safely.

[_Hoppers]

NS66 said:

Surely its just a matter of manners/ etiquette to move over when a vehicle enters from a slip road and not a requirement, plus not always safe to do so? Its down to the driver entering from the slip road to make comparable speed to join / slot in with lane 1 traffic safely.

It's more a matter of showing due consideration for other road users and allowing everyone to make safe progress. Yes, drivers they should adjust their speed to match that of the established vehicles on the main carriageway but if there isn't a sufficient gap to merge what do they do? Stopping on the slip is likely to cause a rear end accident from others travelling down the slip and generally cause confusion to all (see DCW video footage when this happens).

Remember what the HC says - "The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident."

[NS66]

_Hoppers said:

NS66 said:

Surely its just a matter of manners/ etiquette to move over when a vehicle enters from a slip road and not a requirement, plus not always safe to do so? Its down to the driver entering from the slip road to make comparable speed to join / slot in with lane 1 traffic safely.

It's more a matter of showing due consideration for other road users and allowing everyone to make safe progress. Yes, drivers they should adjust their speed to match that of the established vehicles on the main carriageway but if there isn't a sufficient gap to merge what do they do? Stopping on the slip is likely to cause a rear end accident from others travelling down the slip and generally cause confusion to all (see DCW video footage when this happens).

Remember what the HC says - "The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident."

Yes we are on the same page

[_Hoppers]

[cat__]

So you should ideally not be looking to overtake anything in lane 1 when passing the on slip that has vehicles joining, if you cannot move to lane 3 safely? So be in a 'held back' position in lane 2 until you've passed the potential danger zone?

[dvenman]

cat__ said:

So you should ideally not be looking to overtake anything in lane 1 when passing the on slip that has vehicles joining, if you cannot move to lane 3 safely? So be in a 'held back' position in lane 2 until you've passed the potential danger zone?

Seems sensible - if the lane 1 vehicle moves out without checking it all gets interesting very quickly...

Same sort of advice as not passing a vehicle on a 3- or more lane carriageway when you don't have a space to go into if someone else cocks up.

[_Hoppers]

cat__ said:

So you should ideally not be looking to overtake anything in lane 1 when passing the on slip that has vehicles joining, if you cannot move to lane 3 safely? So be in a 'held back' position in lane 2 until you've passed the potential danger zone?

Sounds reasonable but it depends on each situation, I dont think you can apply a blanket theory which works in all circumstances. What you need to do is anticipate what other drivers will do, before they have even thought about it themselves!

[meatballs]

Talking of sliproad etiquette has reminded me of my recent bug bear. People joining at speed but leaving no gap with the car Infront so those on the carriageway can't try and line up with a gap for a smooth merge and either have to brake to let everyone on or move over.

[henrycrun]

Try not to get into bed (drive side by side) when approaching the slip.

I would welcome a rule change that preventing motorists from changing lane within x metres of leaving/joining a motorway slip.

Edited by henrycrun on Friday 27th September 18:16

Edited by henrycrun on Friday 27th September 18:17

[silverfoxcc]

Just needs Solid whites AND cameras

They would be able to retire in a week on the buggers that ignore the M4 east to M25 clockwise lines

[jchesh]

The HC says you should not overtake at or approaching a junction - although this is generally considered to mean side roads etc. on a single carriageway, really it's good to apply this to all junctions including sliproads. Unless it's very obvious that nothing's coming down the sliproad I usually ease off the throttle around entry and exit sliproads so that I'm not passing someone at the same time as passing the sliproad, thus attempting to allow for unexpected events as well as more expected ones.

[akirk]

whenever you approach traffic on a motorway (slip road or just cars overtaking lorries) the best approach can be to hold back until the later stages of their move...

if you watch a group of cars / lorries at a slip road / using all three lanes you will see a pattern that the flow builds out across the three lanes as more cars become aware of others moving so also move, and then as they gradually each overtake - the swarm flows back out of the other lanes - a distinct pattern. If you can time your arrival towards the end of that flow, then you can pass without pausing or getting involved in their moves...

so at a slip road, either be past beforehand, or lift off, slow down slowly, let them do their dance and once they unpick their dance and move back into the inside lanes - then pass...

[cat__]

Some really good responses here thank you, certainly food for thought also.

Also another question while there are so many great responses around this subject.

What to do if you find yourself neck and neck with a car who is on the slip road if you are in lane 1? Assuming moving to lane 2 would be unsafe at that moment.
A previous driving instructor told me to brake slightly to let therm ahead, but I have also been told to maintain my speed and the joining car will need to adjust their speed around me. This doesn't sound defensive side to me, but surely braking has comes with its safety issues?

[silverfoxcc]

I would go with the DI

To do the other is, in effect, a slow version of brake testing. the river behind you will be gaining on you and will use his brakes to keep a safe distance.the driver behind him does so but with slightly more pressure and so on. In 30 secs that lane comes to a halt.

Look at this video of an experiment of 30 or so drivers going round in a large circle. They were told one thing. Keep the same distance apart. BUT in time one was catching up the one in front and dabbed his brakes. causing the one behind to do the same.It is called the concertina/shockwave effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suugn-p5C1M


Bear in mind that the incoming driver has to give way to you ( or should in an ideal world)
Change of speed downwards is, IMHO the last resort, speed up to let him drop in behind IF there is suffiicient space but otherwise, like emergency vehicles, let them assess the situation and make the necessary adjustments.Two people second guessing each other is not an ideal scenario

Had one years ago where i was on the slip and some 'kind' person,on the main who was in effect in front of me, so i slowed to drop in behnd him but he decided to slow and let me in. So i waved him on as i could see that behind him were a couple of artics bearing down i was waiting for him to go and i would slot in behind them but NO he actually Stopped FFS. I just booted it to avoid any carnage. IF he had carried on at the same speed i would have merged seamlessly

[akirk]

cat__ said:

Some really good responses here thank you, certainly food for thought also.

Also another question while there are so many great responses around this subject.

What to do if you find yourself neck and neck with a car who is on the slip road if you are in lane 1? Assuming moving to lane 2 would be unsafe at that moment.
A previous driving instructor told me to brake slightly to let therm ahead, but I have also been told to maintain my speed and the joining car will need to adjust their speed around me. This doesn't sound defensive side to me, but surely braking has comes with its safety issues?

On a busy motorway this can happen - so ease off slightly and let them in - then you are in control of what is happening - as the motorway is busy, it won't matter...

On an emptier motorway, if you are looking ahead enough, you shouldn't be in this position...