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?!

@bertiebotts what if there isn’t a hard shoulder though?

Some of the comments here are what make me want to scream "we're all going to die!" as per the thread title! How are there so many people driving down slip roads with no idea how to get onto the carriageway?! Seriously, practice. Go on the motorway or a dual carriageway early in the morning or late at night and practice - lack of confidence is dangerous at 70mph. Also - would people please stop pootling along in the middle lane at 60mph for miles and miles with nothing next to you in lane 1!

This thread has to be a wind up. Surely there cannot be so many people qualified to drive that cannot join A roads or think stopping on slips is ok.

That’s not being able to drive, that’s just moving whist hoping that other people won’t hit you.

Stopping on slip roads, whilst less than ideal, is actually what you are supposed to do if you cannot join the main carriageway.

This thread is quite worrying, not knowing how to get on a motorway safely, shutting eyes and hoping for the best, describing yourself as confident but not driving on motorways, seriously!

Hesitant drivers pose a very dangerous threat, if you can't drive safely get off them or get some serious lessons!

Beta blockers.

Lower national speed limit for HGVs in Scotland, look it up

I don't think OP is a trucker, unless she's planning to get her son to a party along country lanes in a 40 ton artic.

You should try entering J33 southbound onto the M6. It is a very tight almost 360° bend, so you have to accelerate hard whilst also turning hard to stop the car from spinning off the road. I hate it and want to shut my eyes every time I do it!

Still, it's better than the old Northbound slip road at J34, which was approx 6 feet long, up a steep hill and there was no hard shoulder once you got into the M6 as it becomes a high bridge at that point. Just past traffic lights so no chance to speed up in advance at all. Bloody terrifying joining narrow lanes full of lorries when you're only doing 30mph!

Roomba - I love 33!
I hate town/city driving though, I will drive happily from Lancaster to Gloucester, just don't make me do Manchester City centre

I used to be frightened of that because my fear was that nobody would let me out and I’d have to screech to a halt and then wouldn’t be able to accelerate out when there was a space.

But of course people let you out - they don’t want an accident themselves so just put on your indicators and head out

Slip roads joining a motorway tend to be easier than those joining fast A roads, they are usually longer and a lot of cars on the motorway will move over to allow you to join more easily

I can understand the fear, but its a fear that is worth facing and overcoming as will make your life a lot easier!

Roomba - I was bloody glad when they re-did 34 Northbound!

Thanks everyone, I did it a few times with DH over the weekend and it was predictably fine. In fact, the effort it takes to get on the motorway is so much easier than the effort it takes NOT to do it, just in case anyone in a similar situation finds this thread!

Glad it went well.

@malmi I have often wondered who decided that a slip lane coming into the ‘fast’ lane of a motorway was a good idea!!!!