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Over the shoulder number
It would appear that I am not alone in my anxiety and apprehension when joining and being joined by sliproad traffic on UK motorways. The Highway Code manual is by no means specific or clear cut in this regard. Rule 233 states "you should give priority to traffic already on the motorway". The word “should” appears weak when compared to “must’ and “must not” which are used liberally in the manual. “Should” implies that you are not obliged or required to conform to the regulation, thus leading to uncertainty and indecision and therefore potential for an accident. Rule 143, which in motorway terms is related to Rule 233, is much more precise and clear when it states " do not force another vehicle to swerve or slow down ". Leaving the Highway Code manual aside, if the two chevron concept was adopted in these motorway areas to accommodate joining traffic, would it both minimise and facilitate the need for the more hazardous manoeuvres of lane switching and slowing down and lead to less stress and safer motoring for all.
Asked on 30 May 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
You are referring to an out of date copy of The Highway Code. The 2007 edition Rule 259 states: Joining the motorway. When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should
* give priority to traffic already on the motorway
* check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
* not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
* stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
* remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.
It is true that many UK sliproads are badly designed, giving drivers already on the motorway a better view of you than you of them. All professional drivers understand this and make allowances when they can. If you don’t want to pay £2.50 you can look it up at www.dsa.gov.uk “Should” is a suggestion. “Must and “must not” are law.
* give priority to traffic already on the motorway
* check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
* not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
* stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
* remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.
It is true that many UK sliproads are badly designed, giving drivers already on the motorway a better view of you than you of them. All professional drivers understand this and make allowances when they can. If you don’t want to pay £2.50 you can look it up at www.dsa.gov.uk “Should” is a suggestion. “Must and “must not” are law.
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