Is people’s ability to join a motorway safely getting worse

[leafie]

Yesterday afternoon on the M6 I encountered one of those drivers who think that joining the motorway from the slip road is something you do without any consideration for traffic already on the motorway. I was towing at the time and due to heavy traffic in the o/s lane was unable to move over into it, he ended up having to slowdown and join behind me. This greatly upset him, clearly having only spotted my estate car and large trailer at the last moment despite coming from behind me it was his wish to either force me into the traffic on the o/s or force me to brake hard. There was room for him to accelerate into the space in front of me but this would have involved him in engaging his brain. I don’t claim to be the best driver in the world and make mistakes the same as everybody else but I think this guy will kill somebody one day. He was driving a van so is it the case that drivers are put under so much pressure by their employers that safety goes out of the window?

[kennatt]

its not just motorways,its anywhere on any road where there is a side road merging,they think that they have a right to force you to slow daown or move over to let them out,whilst it may be good maners to let them out ,there is a broken white line along the merge point,which is in fact a give way sign under the road traffic act,although not on a post,it still is a traffic sign.and means that they should give way and stop if need be for any vehicle on the main road,I think that the majority of drivers are not aware of this and just pull out,it hapened to my wife recently,she was unable to pull over because of overtaking vehicles and the other car just pulled out into the side of the car.He was ranting and raving,but unfortunately for him a traffic patrol officer was nearby and very quickly informed the other driver that he had failed to comply with a road traffic sign,and gave him an on the spot caution,His insurance co just paid for our damage without any question .Its always being extra cautious when nearing these merging points.

[Boomlander]

Absolutely correct, the broken white line is a caution to give way to the traffic on the major road.
If there is room to move then a driver on the inside lane of the major road may courteously move to his right to allow someone to join from the slip road but it is the responsibility of the driver on the slip road to move safely onto the major carriageway without encumbering or encroaching on other vehicles and at the same speed as the vehicles on the nearside lane so as to avoid slowing the existing flow of traffic.
This manoeuver is not taught sufficiently well at driving schools and even some "experienced" drivers think it is their god given right to barge onto the road from a slipway and to hell with everyone else! MUPPETS!

[kingzdjc]

To be honest, I think the majority of driving standards are shocking. Ive certaintly noticed this now that Im in a slow car (my Minor) and many other road users seem to have very little patience. So much so, that countless times the car behind must only be an inch or so away from the back of mine.
Its a pity police are all too ready to give out fines for speeding a couple of miles over the limit, yet not for poor driving. I could have a rant all day about driving standards.
Ive also noticed that for some reason, because im in a classic car, other drivers think they have a right to just pull out right in front of me? Ridiculous.

[mike.perry]

The other extreme is the driver who stops at the end of the slip road before trying to join the motorway

[whyperion]

Its always been as bad or good on motorways. Most slip roads do not give proper vision or feel for speed and distance of oncoming traffic, I normally allow a bit of space for most cars that want to merge in from slip roads no matter what I am driving , and do ones best to match speed etc joining but some slip roads on the earlier motorways are too short to accelerate safely from.

[hanvyj]

The other extreme is the driver who stops at the end of the slip road before trying to join the motorway

One person saying you can't join, the other saying you can't stop!

What do you do when you run out of slip road :/ Just start driving along the hard shoulder?


I think part of the problem is that learner drivers are not allowed to learn, as they can't go on motorways!

[kingzdjc]

The other extreme is the driver who stops at the end of the slip road before trying to join the motorway

One person saying you can't join, the other saying you can't stop!

What do you do when you run out of slip road :/ Just start driving along the hard shoulder?


I think part of the problem is that learner drivers are not allowed to learn, as they can't go on motorways!

When I was a learner I did pass plus, which meant I had to drive on motorways. Im glad I did it for the experience. Im divided on this issue however. Yes, I think its necessary for learners to have the expereince of motorways, yet only after they are competent on urban roads etc. I wouldnt want to be driving along on a motorway with an incompetent learner swaying between the lanes!

[Boomlander]

Learner drivers can gain all the experience they need by using slip roads onto A roads and dual carriageways,the speed limits are the same. I learned this way in the 1970s before I had ever encountered a motorway and soon became competent joining and leaving the main carriageway using a combination of common sense and the skills I was taught by the instructor.

[AntB]

Learner drivers can gain all the experience they need by using slip roads onto A roads and dual carriageways,the speed limits are the same.

agreed.

motorway driving is ever so slightly easier than falling off a log. i can't see the argument for post- pass motorway lessons.

*wanders away mumbling about the nanny state*

[faversham999]

Slow down give way simple

[mike.perry]

Additional instruction covers such things as correct use of hard shoulder, accelerating before rejoining carriageway. Who has not seen cars driving straight off the hard shoulder onto the carriageway?

[MarkyB]

Slow down give way simple

I think match speed, give way, is more appropriate for motorway slip roads.

[dp]

Most of the time on a slipway there should be space and time to adjust your speed to blend in to a suitable space. Ultimately if there isn't then it's just a glorified give way junction and the joining road traffic should give way.

[Boomlander]

As an addition to this thread the same can be said about drivers inability to grasp the fundamentals of negotiating a roundabout.
We took Jethro on a 50 mile round trip this morning and driving up to a roundabout and turning right with offside trafficator and flashing indicator operating we were nearly broadsided by a moron who, failing to give way to vehicles coming from the right, sped straight ahead in front of us and scowled at me as if I was the one in the wrong!
I won't mention if the dope in question was male or female as all too often we encounter both drivers continually failing this simple task and not being able to understand five simple words............
GIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT!!!

[faversham999]

If all Drivers were good drivers it would be boring . Its great watching bad drivers.

[Boomlander]

If all Drivers were good drivers it would be boring . Its great watching bad drivers.

There is no excuse for bad driving, you have to attain a minimum level of competence to pass your test but it seems that once these morons have a full licence, if indeed they do actually have one, they proceed to inflict their ignorance and bad roadcraft on other motorists who take pride in their vehicles and their ability to use them safely.
In the event of a collision it is usually the moron who walks away unhurt while the innocent are maimed or killed.

[randomafterthought]

If all Drivers were good drivers it would be boring . Its great watching bad drivers.

It is always great to watch until this happens:[frame][/frame]

We were travelling in the opposite direction than the car is facing now, the road is a 60. Approaching a t-junction, we were doing about 40 when someone pulled out on us. I started braking, and the car spun, ending up stationary on the other side of the road. A flatbed Mercedes Sprinter went in to the back of us doing 50.

Person who pulled out of the junction kept driving. When she went to the police station later, she said "I saw the car fishtailing but thought I had enough time". She then went on to deny any responsibility against the advice of her insurer and the police. In the end, she went on a two day driver improvement course. My OH still has back problems as a result.

David.

[StaffsMoggie]

As an addition to this thread the same can be said about drivers inability to grasp the fundamentals of negotiating a roundabout.
We took Jethro on a 50 mile round trip this morning and driving up to a roundabout and turning right with offside trafficator and flashing indicator operating we were nearly broadsided by a moron who, failing to give way to vehicles coming from the right, sped straight ahead in front of us and scowled at me as if I was the one in the wrong!
I won't mention if the dope in question was male or female as all too often we encounter both drivers continually failing this simple task and not being able to understand five simple words............
GIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT!!!

This is something some (not all) LGV drivers should try doing. There are several roundabouts in this area where it seems to be the normal practice for them to carry on straight through without any intention of giving way.

[Boomlander]

If all Drivers were good drivers it would be boring . Its great watching bad drivers.

It is always great to watch until this happens:[frame][/frame]

We were travelling in the opposite direction than the car is facing now, the road is a 60. Approaching a t-junction, we were doing about 40 when someone pulled out on us. I started braking, and the car spun, ending up stationary on the other side of the road. A flatbed Mercedes Sprinter went in to the back of us doing 50.

Person who pulled out of the junction kept driving. When she went to the police station later, she said "I saw the car fishtailing but thought I had enough time". She then went on to deny any responsibility against the advice of her insurer and the police. In the end, she went on a two day driver improvement course. My OH still has back problems as a result.

David.

Sorry to hear of your collision and resulting injury, this is exactly the type of scenario that I mentioned in my post.
The innocent get injured, their vehicle gets wrecked and what happens to the cretin who caused the accident?
They go on an "Improvement Course" which will go in one ear and out the other having nothing to stop it in between!
Their license should be withdrawn for five or more years!