Am I doing the right thing? (Short, unsighted slip road)

[djmck30]

This has happened a couple of times in recent months so would like to get some opinions

This is the junction in question:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&ge...

Part of my daily commute is to join the A3 southbound at this junction (orange lines). As lane 1 is busy at this time of day quite often you have to wait for a gap. Because of bushes/greenery in the little triangle I tend to hang back or even stop at the apex of the curve - this gives me a clear view to the right of the approaching southbound traffic - then I can accelerate up the short slip road and merge reasonable smoothly.

BUT - when I do this I sometimes get people up my arse and honking at me, even though I'm just waiting for a gap Everyone else is happy to stop at the end of the slip road with the indicators on and wait for a gap??

I was under the impression slip roads are for accelerating and merging? Am I using the right technique to tackle this bit of road?

[7db]

Can you create the same effect by driving slowly and then accelerating when the gap is appearing?

[henrycrun]

Hold your ground. Its your choice. They ought to see how much easier it is for you to merge.

If it was an elderly driver/someone with limited head movement, they might have to stop early and square to the carriageway in order to get enough vision on their right hand side.

Edited by henrycrun on Thursday 16th October 22:39

[7db]

That junction isn't well sighted for approaching motorists, I recall. It will help them to help you join if they see that you are moving and looking to join - crawling, indicating.

[Red Devil]

djmck30 said:

Am I using the right technique to tackle this bit of road?

I would say defintely.
I lived in Wimbledon/Raynes Park for over 10 years and can confirm how difficult that slip road is.
Saw many near misses/hairy avoidance moves in that time.
The design dates back to a different era when cars were described as locomotives!
Doing a standing start merge from the end of the slip road is crazy. Just asking to get rear-ended.

[Distant]

I think it depends on the speed of the traffic on the main road.
If the road is fast flowing I would definately stick with the way you're doing it.
If its slow moving, or the traffic is light and it's likely vehicles in L1 may move out for you, then you won't need to use the slip road to build up your speed so I would sit at the give way line with signal on.

Edited by Distant on Friday 17th October 04:42

[djmck30]

7db said:

Can you create the same effect by driving slowly and then accelerating when the gap is appearing?

Ideally I would but the approach is quite twisty so the speed differential is high with not a lot of road to build up speed/merge in etc.

Some useful comments, think I'll stick with what I've been doing. Today for example no traffic in lane 1, merged straight in - the only chance I get on my commute to wind up the ol twinspark

On one occasion when I had come to complete stop some bint actually squeezed past me - on the left - she made it exactly 20 yard up the road before coming to a stop to await a gap herself .

I wonder how that would have looked to the insurance/bib if i hadn't clocked her (I was looking right waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic, officer), given it the beans and rear-ended the daft cow...

[7db]

djmck30 said:

I wonder how that would have looked to the insurance/bib if i hadn't clocked her (I was looking right waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic, officer), given it the beans and rear-ended the daft cow...

bad for you.

[BertBert]

That's exactly what I do there too!
Bert