Slip Roads: how can I get the hang of them?

[GlitterToast]

I passed my driving test a few months ago, but I still haven't been on a motorway. I just don't get how slip roads work? I've watched every Youtube video, but I'm still confused!

Specific issues I have:

1. What if there isn't a gap for you to merge into by the end of the slip?

1. How can I gauge the gap between cars when everything is moving so fast? I'm worried I'm going to mis-calculate and hit someone.

Fab advice from agelikewine, particularly the gear selection to give you acceleration potential, the indicating, and the blind spot (important if you are perhaps hesitant/slower as some dick behind you on the slipway might decide to 'steal' your gap).

I echo what others have said upthread - motorway drivers have good warning (road signs) that they are coming up to a slip road, and good visibility of it as they approach, so most will move out of the inside lane in anticipation if they see any cars on it. It's very rarely a problem - even if the motorway is busy and the cars can't move over for you, they are hyperalert to your predicament so will adjust their speed to help you out (either faster, if they are alonside you to give you a bigger gap to slot in behind them) or slower, to allow you out in front of them.

Good luck!

as pp have said make sure you are matching speeds...not dawdling cos no bugger want to let out a dawdler, but equally do be aware if you are stuck behind a ditherer or you'll end up shunting them!

so match your speed and then I get a good look at the traffic, pick a vehicle and decide that it is the one I want to be in front of or behind...depending on its speed. If you get your indicators on and make your intentions clear it's more than likely they will flash you ...they have seen you and you can go for it, or if they don't then you can nick out right behind them easily

and then don't be that driver who has to get out across all the lanes in one, NO ONE likes that driver!

I find motorways and fast dual carriage ways easier that most of the blasted roads in Dundee where it's mostly 40mph and all the slips are near roundabouts and no bugger will shift over!

@NeedAnExpert fairly sure the other poster meant the outside lane on the slip road.

@GlitterToast sometimes you have to be a bit brave and just go. I look across as I'm going down the slip road to judge the traffic and find a gap. Then adjust my speed as needed to slot into it.

fairly sure the other poster meant the outside lane on the slip road.

They confirmed they didn’t.

Ah man. Explains some of the driving I see I guess? 🤔😩

My driving instructor said to -

1. match the speed of the traffic you are joining
2. indicate
3. look for a gap as soon as you can so you can speed up/ slow down
4. move decisively, don't just wander aimlessly over the line

My instructor told me all drivers should aim to keep the traffic moving and safe. So, make room for people merging when you can. Some people are very averse to this on MN.

Ive just remembered another piece of advice i was given. If you match the speed exactly you can join the motorway in a space the length of your car. Of course you don't want to do this and you will never be doing exactly the right speed but it reminds me that actually you need much less space than you think you do.

You do get used to it but it's scary the first time, the slip road near me that I have to use daily joins straight into the fast lane and I hate it, you get idiots up your arse and no one lets you move over to the middle lane, It causes me stress everyday!

Remember it’s not your right of way on the slip road and to build up speed. The amount of cars I see joining a motorway at 50mph, it’s just wrong especially when a car is letting someone in.
The slip road is for building up your speed to a level that everyone is on on the motorway. Just be careful, most in the inside lane will let you in anyway and you’ll be grand.

Do not, for the love of everything, practice on the A1M. Shortest slip roads I've ever encountered. You have to be willing to turn round the corner onto the short straight at about 45 then floor it, or you will be wiped out. I was slick of palms by the time I came off four junctions later.

@HereBeFuckery Which part of the A1M? Funnily enough, in my earlier reply about short slip roads, I was thinking of the A1 near Borehamwood.

If you are not competent and confident book a few lessons until you are. Otherwise you are putting yourself and others at risk.

You need to accelerate to match the speed of the traffic already on the inside lane. Those people saying that they slow down need to keep well away from motorways before they cause a fatal accident.

It's not as scary as you think. I got onto the motorway the day after I passed last year as I knew I needed to do it for work. People generally move or slow to let you in. Make sure your speed is matching the traffic you're joining so you don't make people slow too much and make sure you indicate. Practice makes perfect.

You need to match the speed of the traffic on the carriageway you are preparing to join and indicate. But be prepared to have to slow or speed up when you see a gap.

And yes to the a1 M slip road going north from Borehamwood. It's very dangerous. So short!

I passed my test 21 years ago and hadn't been on a motorway until this year because I was scared of the slip roads. My ex used to do any motorway driving when needed, which wasn't often.

This summer I needed to take my son to scout camp on 2 motorways. I practiced first on an A road here, where the Motorway turns into an A road so it's still just like a motorway. It was fine!

And I find the thought is always much worse in my mind than doing it. Once I was in my car and driving I barely gave it a thought, I was on the slip road and on the motorway with no problem.

Done it a few times since, and wondered what I was ever worried about!

I much prefer motorway driving to inner-city driving.

If you live in the next village to me, you just drive on to the motorway at top speed expecting everyone to give way to you.

(Not helpful, I know)

@wanderings I may have the wrong road name - going north to Newark from Corby way. Mebbe the A1? Mental road either way.

I used to be nervous of the motorway but actually in a lot of ways its much easier than driving in towns, the rules are clearer and there's less general pissing about. I find the majority of drivers on the motorway are expecting you to merge, so either change lanes to free up space for you, or adjust speed to make a gap. If you are nervous you could book one lesson with a driving instructor just to buddy you on your first attempt.

Slight update:

I drove on a few slip roads today with my boyfriend in the car. It was quiet, so fairly easy. It wasn't as bad as expected!

Yay!

Well done OP!

I’ve only ever had 2 major car accidents. Both were caused by imbeciles stopping at the end of a slip road because they’ve panicked. If you’re not 100% confident then book lessons.