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Original poster

To not give way on dual carriageway?

113 replies

Cheerstoyoutoo · 30/05/2024 15:24

So I’m driving down the dual carriageway in the left lane and there’s a car waiting to turn into the lane I’m driving on although it’s not a slip road or anything, it’s just a straightforward juction so the car was stationary indicating left and waiting to turn. I continued to drive but I think they expected me to move over for them as I got the finger, flash, etc. I always move over where possible for cars merging via the slip roads but this wasn’t the set up here. The car is question turned after I and the car behind me passed so it’s not like they were even waiting very long. I’m a really nervous driver following a collision some months ago so I tend to avoid changing lanes unnecessarily but it got me wondering should I have moved in this scenario? Thanks.

OP posts:
MonsteraMama · 30/05/2024 15:44

I always get out of the way if I can, it's just the polite thing to do and it's very frustrating sitting at those junctions watching people pootle past in the inside lane with their head in the clouds when they could easily move over and let you out and just don't. He/she might've been waiting ages and you were the last straw. They were rude but from their perspective you were ignorant so 🤷‍♀️

notintheseparts · 30/05/2024 15:40

I'm not sure how you could have had time to see he was giving you the "finger, flash etc" given that you would have been passing him going at least 40mph (I've not seen a dual carriageway with a lower limit) while he was stationary. You would only have been able to see him for a fraction of a second.
If you were actually only crawling along as there was congestion, then it would have been polite to slow down and let him out but not AFAIK a legal requirement.

OnceICaughtACold · 30/05/2024 15:34

Definitely a good idea to do pass plus, or even just find a friendly instructor who will do a few confidence building lessons with you. I used to be a nervous driver and honestly getting over it was life changing.

On the original question - good to move over if safe to do so, absolutely not compulsory.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 30/05/2024 15:33

ByCupidStunt · 30/05/2024 15:27

The polite and helpful thing to do would have been to pull over it's not a legal requirement though.

This. I try to make getting onto a road easier for others if I can, it's just a nice thing to do. But I wouldn't get worked up if someone didn't do the same for me.

sanogo · 30/05/2024 15:32

Pootles34 · 30/05/2024 15:27

That's really bizarre, especially as there was a car behind you so he wouldn't have been able to pull out anyway, even if you did let him out? Wierdo.

He?

Original poster
Cheerstoyoutoo · 30/05/2024 15:32

Sirzy · 30/05/2024 15:27

They were rude but I think if you can move safely over to let them enter it’s nicer!

being so nervous you avoid changing lanes doesn’t sound good when driving so I would look to tackle that personally.

Yeah, it’s a weird feeling. I just feel like I’m in a constant state of hypervigilance whilst driving especially when DD is in the car with me. I have thought about trying to do the pass plus as only passed two year ago. I will change lanes when I really have to, I just tend to avoid it. Also hate overtaking too.

OP posts:
PippyLongTits · 30/05/2024 15:29

Continuing to drive was the right course of action. You have right of way and a responsibility to the person behind you to keep the flow of traffic moving. The other driver can come onto the road when there is a gap in traffic and when it is safe for them to do so.

smooththecat · 30/05/2024 15:28

People expect you to pull over but it’s on them to give way. The expectation can be dangerous on motorways etc. as people can’t always judge whether it’s safe for you to pull over but they assume you will.

ByCupidStunt · 30/05/2024 15:28

Pootles34 · 30/05/2024 15:27

That's really bizarre, especially as there was a car behind you so he wouldn't have been able to pull out anyway, even if you did let him out? Wierdo.

Nah! he just wanted to make sure it was a woman driving before he flipped his finger at her

Pootles34 · 30/05/2024 15:27

That's really bizarre, especially as there was a car behind you so he wouldn't have been able to pull out anyway, even if you did let him out? Wierdo.

Sirzy · 30/05/2024 15:27

They were rude but I think if you can move safely over to let them enter it’s nicer!

being so nervous you avoid changing lanes doesn’t sound good when driving so I would look to tackle that personally.

ByCupidStunt · 30/05/2024 15:27

The polite and helpful thing to do would have been to pull over it's not a legal requirement though.

Dreamlight · 30/05/2024 15:27

As long as the outside lane was clear I would have pulled out in these circumstances, just as a common courtesy. That being said you were not wrong to stay in your lane!