To want to scream 'We're all going to die!' when going on a motorway slip road

[housebuyingnewbie]

I've been driving for three years and consider myself a fairly competent driver but the thought of going on a motorway slip road fills me with horror. I was cheerfully ignoring this and going the long way round anytime I needed to do a longer journey but dc1 has been invited to a party next week and my options are:
1 x junction on the motorway (15mins)
1 x single lane country road (30 mins)
1 x big A road (35 mins)
The motorway is a no brainer but how do I get over the fear and fast?!

Accept your fate I would just do it and not think about it

I am the same. Practice, Practice, Practice! Find a time when the road is quieter and try then. Even go on just do a few junctions to build up your confidence

Surely it’s easier than pulling on to some A roads? There’s space for the cars to move over and let you in.

Indicate, close your eyes and hope for the best!

I think you need to get over it! I am saying this in a nice way! It's not scary and you will not die. I am not sure what scares you about it but around here on the M5 it's really really simple. You just get up speed, indicate, pull into space, carry on your journey.

I don't really get the fear of slip roads I see on MN sometimes. They're far easier than a lot of other junctions! In 16 years of driving, I've never not been able to pull out onto the motorway from a slip road or had any problems, but they seem to strike fear into people and I'm not sure why!

P.s, it's easier than an A road as cars can get out your way!

Get a more powerful car.

You just need to keep doing it. It will get better.

Motorways are statistically safer than rural roads anyway (I found this out on my speed awareness course!).

I love it! Feel like I’m going down a runway in an aeroplane! Remember you can always stop at the end if you need to, but aim not to. Match the speed of the cars, indicate, keep checking and move confidently over. Practise and don’t think too much about doing it, just do it.

Once I was heading down the sliproad, just about to join the motorway, when the car in front of me stopped dead right at the very end. There was nothing I could do. I just had to swerve around them.

I've never had a bad experience since, but got the fright of my life that day.

Just do it. I've been on the M25 a lot recently and people do, on the whole, pull out of the inside lane when there is a slip road joining to leave it clear. I wouldnt have put the M25 as a particularly "well mannered" motorway either!

Ignore the fact that there are multiple lanes. You don't need to think about anything except the lane you are going to join. A lot of people get panicky because of the vast amount of traffic, just see lane one. Get your speed up and merge.

Celebelly I seriously don't understand it either. I have been driving for 12 years, I passed when I was 18. Maybe this makes a difference? I had no fear at 18 and loved being able to jump in my car and bomb down the motorway! Now as a real grown up it's just another aspect of driving that I have never put any thought into

How is that helpful mrdonut? That’s an incredibly rare thing to happen. In twenty years of driving I have never had any issue with a slip road. It’s unlikely the op will have a problem like you did.

OOOH I am learning to drive, and thought it was only me . I would go on the single road and add 15 mins to your journey definitely. I dread the motorway slip road if I pass and the time comes.

@Givemeallyourcucumber Perhaps! I was also 18 and my work had paid for my lessons so I could use work cars –and I had to drive one of them for three hours on the motorway the same week I passed my test, so I suppose it was a bit of a baptism of fire and perhaps I would be more wary about it now! But there's plenty of driving things I dislike more than slip roads (parallel parking on a busy street makes me twitch as I've got so lazy thanks to having a driveway for the last 10 years, and I don't enjoy overtaking on single carriageway roads very much!)

Following this thread with interest. I used to go everywhere on the motorway when I was younger, at the moment I can't drive on motorways, I just get these horrible panic attacks and I really want to get the hell over it!

Match the speed of the traffic on the carrigeway, sight your gap and go for it. There are a few anomalies, but most British motorway junctions are well designed with a decent length avaliable to merge into.

I had some Pass Plus lessons and practised this with the instructor in one of them, it really helped. I do still give my husband a high five when I successfully join the motorway though 😂

You could just book a motorway lesson, just one would do the trick, I reckon.

I know it's ridiculous. I happily drive on 70mph A roads but I think it's something to do with going downhill and fast. The kids stress me out too (I learnt to drive at 38 so have never not had them in the car). We are going on the motorway on Saturday first thing and I've told DH I will drive but considering doing one junction tomorrow. I really don't want to be one of those people who doesn't drive on motorways.

Sorry, it was a me too! moment. It's bizarre though, because the person who posted just before me said, "Remember you can always stop at the end if you need to, but aim not to." 🤦‍♀️

It's actually illegal to stop on the sliproad. You should only do so if there's an actual emergency or there is gridlock.

I think most people feel nervous joining the motorway but people already on the motorway should be aware that there is a junction and leave space or pull over. That was literally the only time I've ever had a problem in years of driving.

I understand! I hate them too. I do use them though, because if I don’t I know the fear will get worse and I won’t be able to. I’m getting better and every time I do it I am releaved it’s over!!! Slip roads to me feel unsafe, but they’re not. Others drivers nearly always pull over if they can. Try having a practice during a quiet time. Good luck op.

My method of joining a motorway via a slip road (not frequently done) is to pay attention to cars in front, checking to the side and behind, signal, join the traffic.

All whilst either muttering or bellowing FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

I like to think that helps.

AnotherPidgey this is really helpful, thank you, I will repeat it to myself!

TheSmallAssasin I did think about this but DH pointed out that I would be fine when with the instructor in their car but then revert to my normal mentality when out by myself. For me this would be exactly what happened (also ridiculous!)