Joining A Roads

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Hey guys,

On the ride to work this morning (Warrington Bank Quay Park to Speke Estuary) I came up a long wide Dual Carridgeway (A506 or something, can't remember).

I came down a small road on the left that became part of the A road further down (Think that this is a slip road Rolling Eyes

)

There was a load of traffic to my right, so obviously I was going to run out of "slip road" before I could join the traffic, so I stopped. A lorry also stopped behind me, honking his horn and gesturing me to go forwards.

Thing was, I wouldn't go forwards as I couldn't clearly observe behind me, so I stuck my ground and moved forward a bit more, ushering him past me (So his big fatass lorry wouldn't block my view). I then observed until I had a clear gap, and then joined the A road.

Did I do right or wrong? Rolling Eyes

Trixie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Karma :

It's been a long time since I read the Highway Code (naughty Trixie), but I'm pretty sure you did the right thing. The thing about slip roads is that they're there to allow you to get to the speed of the traffic travelling on the major road, but you should be prepared to slow down and give way if necessary, should there be too much traffic for you to filter onto the road.
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Dead nobodies in company cars...

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Coolpants

Thanks

m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

One thing many people either forget or fail to realise is that slip roads are a give-way situation. If you can't get out into traffic, you wait until you can.

Unless you drive a BMW, then you just pull out because that's what's expected.

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Good, I'm glad I did the right thing, enjoying the bike at the moment but trying to be as safe as possible!

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Hmm.. Scrubbed what I was going to post as I dont want to tempt fate, put it this way, I want to be old before I die Smile

Sheepy1209 · Nova Slayer Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Karma :

Everyone's right, traffic on the slip has to give way to traffic on the main road - though there's plenty of drivers who think it's the other way round.

If you haven't got much experience of cars or bikes, and you're on a CG, it's much harder to merge - with more experience, and on a bigger bike, you'll find it much easier to match your speed with traffic so that you can squeeze into a gap.

The trouble with that sort of situation is having got into a gap you can find youself without enough distance in front and behind - so make sure you drop back a bit as soon as you can.

You've done the right thing - never let bullies get to you, and never take risks under pressure.