Driver speed awareness training

*ahem*

Sorry that's cock.

From the highway code:

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

It is people that fail to do either of these that bug me. If I can move
over safely, I will do so. I won't slow down for someone joining - it's
up to them to match their speed.

 

So what if all 3 lanes are fairly busy? Do you not make a gap?

 

I know! That always makes me laugh.

 

In order to fit in safely the traffic in the left-hand lane of the
motorway may have to slow down or move over. That's all I'm saying.

 

ah? they're not congratulating me on my flawless manoeuvre? oh well, the
list of people lining up to pay me tribute was getting too long anyway.

 

If the vehicle joining is something that probably can't accelerate to fit
in, then - fine. Otherwise, it's their responsibility.

If it's just some cock who can't be bothered and expects it on a plate,
then **** 'em.

 

Oh yes, I'm not talking about really heavy traffic here. I've had it
happen when there's almost no-one on the road, someone coming fast
behind me.[1]

<mini rant> But if the traffic's really heavy, and I'm in lane 2 or 3,
no I bloody won't make a gap for someone who think's it's his God given
right to carve all the way over from joining - it's these idiots that
mainly cause the motorways to slowdown/stop in the first place.
</m r>

[1] often when I'm driving some SO thing, or towing a trailer etc.

 

not their problem. you still have to obey (1) even if it means you have to
come to a stop. that's what the dashed line across your path means:

**give way**

 

Now there I'm right with you.

 

That's something I've noticed here in recent years.
When there's a queue of 40mph traffic I've sometimes found a UK-reg car
at the front of it. Poor dears are getting so paranoid about speed cams
they can't let go. Dawdling tourists are nothing new, of course, but
these incidents took place in non-touristy bits.

 

And a good blast from their horn, and a flash of the lights, will make
sure I remember that in future.

 

I meant slow down simply to create a gap, not to match speeds.

RITE.

 

Er, if by straight on you mean heading for the A308(M), it is you know.
There are two lanes to turn left on to the A404(M) and two to head for
the A308(M). The middle lane covers both.

You should move over, if possible, to make room for people joining the
motorway. It's called courtesy.

 

That surely is only a poor representation of the sound of a V-Max
getting stuck into traffic.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Pip

Heh. I expect there was a ding there somewhere. I was a bit busy at the
time.

 

Yeah, yeah - and you've had a tap on the head, right?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Pip

<fx: drips>

 

Doh.

 

Fucksticks: you get these arseholes in the morning, on the A217 heading
south to the M25. Left hand lane has fucking great markings on it, and
the signs have huge arrows pointing, to indicate that it's left turn
only: a single feeder lane for the M25.

So they hope out of the right-hand lane, because they can't wait, and
barrel down the left-turn only lane, and then stop and try and barge
back in again.

While people like me, who want to use the lane for what it's there for,
sit and fume.

 

Can't remember the total number of lanes but the two left hand ones are
clearly marked left turn only. Chancers take the right hand of those
two lanes, then get caught on a red light, and block the rest of the
traffic trying to get on the 404.

Yep, have no problem with the 'if possible', but I ain't going to do it
if I have to force someone behind me to change course/speed.