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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

165 replies

housebuyingnewbie · 08/11/2018 12:15

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?!

OP posts:
Mookatron · 08/11/2018 15:51

but its not true on slip roads thers a give way line Joining the motorway.

Yes - but in practical terms you want to be at the same speed as the traffic you're joining, and you want to make sure you fit into a gap. That's the same thing you would do if you were in the inside lane, just that you wouldn't change lanes. Since the sliproad and inside lane effectively merge, joining the motorway is almost like carrying straight on. If you were in the inside lane you wouldn't crash into someone just because according to the highway code you had right of way.

flapjackfairy · 08/11/2018 15:58

When i was first driving i got my dh to go with me and talk me through it a few times. He is a great driver and would tell me to accelerate, indicate etc and it really helped. Now i go anywhere and tackle any roads in a minibus and i agree motorways are not scary to drive on at all wirh practice.

bookbuddy · 08/11/2018 16:02

Do it you’ll be fine! I actually prefer motorways to A roads, I find them much easier and you have more space.

JustAnotherPoster00 · 08/11/2018 16:03

OP don’t listen to the idiots telling you to use the hard shoulder ffs those people need their licences removed

NotMeNoNo · 08/11/2018 16:16

YABU, if you are going to be a competent driver you need to get upskilled in motorway driving. Either practice at a quiet time going round and round a few closely spaced junctions or get some extra lessons.

I drive on motorways nearly every day for my commute, I can think of maybe 1 or 2 occasions in my life I've had trouble joining in extremely heavy traffic. There is normally going to be a 30-50 m gap between vehicles even in continuous traffic and if you pull into it at the same speed, the other traffic will naturally adjust their spacing.

There is a lot of discussion over whether traffic on the motorway should have to slow the slightest amount, but if they were all driving at 100m spacing like they should at 70mph there would be plenty of space for joiners to pull in without anyone having to slow down. If they are all driving too close then they can't complain IMO and should make space.

These threads make me depressed every time so many drivers are afraid of/avoid motorways even at increased time and cost to themselves. Is it a problem with the driving test?

confussssed · 08/11/2018 16:27

These threads make me depressed every time so many drivers are afraid of/avoid motorways even at increased time and cost to themselves. Is it a problem with the driving test?
i think part of the problem is its not part of the driving test so you dont learn it even though if you can pass a driving test it should not be difficult.

Original poster
housebuyingnewbie · 08/11/2018 16:27

NotMeNoNo For me definitely I could have done with some additional motorway lessons in my learning to drive. I considered doing the Pass Plus but my instructor told me I didn't need to! I really wish I hadn't listened to him.

I'm going to go with dh a couple of times over the weekend (I have gone on the motorway with him before) and then by myself on Monday morning. Hopefully that will do the trick as the party is Monday after school! The alternative is driving on a single lane country road in the pitch black and take twice the time. I've done this a couple of times before and been so irritated with myself I am determined not to do it again.

OP posts:
Original poster
housebuyingnewbie · 08/11/2018 16:30

confussssed for me as well I grew up and lived in capital cities, so motorways were something alien that we went on anytime we were going on a massive journey. It just wasn't an everyday occurrence. Whereas for DH growing up he basically had to get on a motorway to get anywhere. So for me it is still a weird thing to do but where we are now it is clearly normal.

OP posts:
Sethis · 08/11/2018 16:40

Move to Italy.

Drive on the motorways here for 1 week.

Never have a problem in the UK ever again.

For reference, slip roads in Italy are any or multiple of the following:

A. At right angles to the motorway
B. 10m long total
C. an immediate 360 degree or more spiral ascending or descending to/from the motorway in question
D. Have the rear or side view blocked by fencing, so you can't actually see what's coming until you're literally about to enter the motorway
E. Be placed within 30 meters of another entry or exit slip road

It's not uncommon to have multiple-vehicle stationary queues for both entry and exit slip roads, causing hilarious problems when E is a factor.

Honestly. Drive here and then never be scared of anything in the UK ever again. Grin

SevenStones · 08/11/2018 17:08

As soon as I passed my driving test I booked sessions on the motorway with my instructor, plus night driving and other stuff. It was called Pass Plus and I got cheaper insurance because of it.

MrsJBaptiste · 08/11/2018 17:31

Shit, it's actually quite worrying to read so many people on here panicking about driving in a motorway. If you're that stressed about it, please stay off them and maybe think about some extra driving lessons 😯

janisposh · 08/11/2018 19:13

your back up should be to continue onto the hard shoulder.

NEVER.

Absolutely not.

Please ignore this crap.

The hard shoulder is not and never should be used as, an extension of the slip road.

Crazy idiotic advice.

TSSDNCOP · 08/11/2018 19:41

your back up should be to continue onto the hard shoulder.

Who the fuck wrote this nonsense?

MrDonut · 08/11/2018 20:12

Oh, god. The Daily Mail would love this thread. 😆

Women giving each other bonkers driving advice.

I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine, OP. Like anything, practice will give you confidence.

WooYa · 08/11/2018 20:14

I genuinely screamed this the first time I went on one not helpful... I love motorway driving now 

TheSmallAssassin · 08/11/2018 22:45

Folks, national speed limit is 60mph, 70mph is only for motorways and dual carriageways, i.e. two lanes, separated by a barrier from the opposite carriageway (if there is no barrier, it's still 60)

ThreeGlasses · 08/11/2018 22:49

Everyone I know moves into the middle lane when approaching a junction to let people out, only exceptions are lorries occasionally so you either slow down and come in behind them or put your foot down and speed up if its safe to do so.

I also do a 'lifesaver' and look over my right shoulder just before I pull in to make double sure. I've never had a problem on a motorway junction, you'll be fine, just bite the bullet and do it

ThreeGlasses · 08/11/2018 22:52

You can drive on the hard shoulder on a 'smart' motorway. I've done it a few times. ONLY IF the signs direct you that the hard shoulder is open!

janisposh · 08/11/2018 22:53

national speed limit is 60mph, 70mph is only for motorways and dual carriageways

No. The national speed limit is determined by the toad type.

What you say is correct in that 70mph will only be on motorways or dualers, but that doesn't mean the NSL is 60mph.

It is 70mph unless otherwise stated for dual carriageways and motorways. It is 60mph for single carriageways.

janisposh · 08/11/2018 22:54

You can drive on the hard shoulder on a 'smart' motorway. I've done it a few times. ONLY IF the signs direct you that the hard shoulder is open!

Smart motorways are different. The advice given to use the hard shoulder if you can't join using the slip road was referring to regular motorways.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 08/11/2018 22:57

national speed limit is 60mph, 70mph is only for motorways and dual carriageways

Almost right.

The national speed limit for single carriageways where there is no other speed restriction in place is 60mph.

70mph is also a national speed limit but restricted to dual carriageways and motorways.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 08/11/2018 23:00

I am terrified of Motorways, country lane is a no brainer for me! I would rather do a longer route that I'm happier driving. I would book some lessons to practice if I were you though as you would definitely benefit. I've done that before and it helped but I still don't use motorways enough to not be terrified on my own, so I avoid them. I know my driving limits & stick to them.

The last time I was on the M25 it was by accident.

PickAChew · 08/11/2018 23:02

Just do it and hope you don't get stuck behind 45mph man on the slip road.

PurpleDaisies · 08/11/2018 23:03

I am terrified of Motorways, country lane is a no brainer for me!

You know you’re statistically far more likely to have an accident on s country lane?

jimmyhill · 08/11/2018 23:13

*Almost right.

The national speed limit for single carriageways where there is no other speed restriction in place is 60mph.

70mph is also a national speed limit but restricted to dual carriageways and motorways*

Almost right. Depends what you're driving and whether or not you're in Scotland