Video Driving Lesson 27 Joining a Dual-Carriageway

[SafedriverN]

Looks dangerous advice. Emphasis should be on getting the speed up to match that of traffic already on the carriageway (HC 259). Stopping or slowing down at the end of the slip should be a LAST resort and V unlikely to happen if everyone is keeping a safe gap. Put offside indicator on well before joining so that traffic already on main carriageway is alerted. Joining slowly is unwise and dangerous. I'll publish examples.

[tokyosweetcheeks]

So I should stop at the end of the acceleration lane if I cannot find a gap to join the flowing traffic? What do I do next? Sit there and wait for a really long gap? Thanks

[LE55ONS]

@tokyosweetcheeks In theory you would have to stop behind the broken white line as you have no priority.

If you try and match the speed of the traffic they don't normally mind easing off their gas to let you join the carriageway. But if they're going 70 and your doing 50 they probably will. Most problems joining are caused by going too slow, its easier to slow a little if your going a bit fast than it is to speed up.

e.g. If your joining a 50mph limit, try and get above 45mph on the slip road.

[felixthemaster1]

Thanks for this. today was my first dual carraigeway lesson

[geenaurbanik]

sounds like david walliams

[RIZZYrulez4LYF]

Good video, really helped!

[Zildjian285]

I hate joining carriageways when they're very busy.

I'm a learner driver and just a few days ago I tried to enter a dual carriageway but nobody would leave me room and I almost had to stop at the end of the slip road...

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Zildjian285 Thats only because you were driving a 1.2, if you had a remapped seat cupra diesel like I have you have the punch power to choose your gap. I love busy carridgeways when people won't let me on, its good fun & exciting. When they don't leave you any room, you can use the peak torque power to suddenly slam ahead of the traffic to access a gap. I could never drive a 1.2 again.

[Zildjian285]

@1ns4ne1d10t

I'm still driving a Seat Ibiza 1.2; I don't have much choice because I only passed my test 6 months ago insurance for anything half quick is ridiculous.

I'll have to wait until at least June next year before I can get a half decent car.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Zildjian285 I didn't even know you had a 1.2 I was just wildly guessing. You also have a Seat aswell, nice. I have the Leon FR cupra edition 1.9 TDi (remapped ecu), My sister used to have an Ibiza 1.9 TDi. Once you can insure a quick car make it a TDi with a remap, the strong torque power at 2,000-3,500 revs makes them very snappy overtakers and they can sprint down a motorway and its almost quite frightening. My Leon is like that and it will run like a rabbit.

[Zildjian285]

@1ns4ne1d10t

I was trying to figure out how you knew that I had a 1.2, good guess. :)

I'll probably get either an Ibiza, Leon or a Focus next year with a bit more power.

It all comes down to the cost of insurance, I'm not prepared to pay much more than £1k on insurance. I'm currently paying around that on the Ibiza.

When I turn 23 in 18 months I could get insured on a Focus ST for around £1200, providing I don't have a crash before then.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Zildjian285 On no don't bother getting a Ford, not being funny but Fords can be right rotters. Stick to Seat and VAG they are a bit better. Don't get a Focus ST if its a 2.0 duratec 170 because they are overrated crud, you are much better off with a Golf Mk4 PD 150 on a remap they are just as quick, same top speed and 100x cheaper to run. I know loads of folks who got 170's and have regret it.

[tag1989]

@1ns4ne1d10t yes your right.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@tag1989 Did you have a 170?

[ianweir87]

LOL the whole world of driving seems to be up to debate. Driving the essential skills book by the DSA tells you not to look over your shoulder at high speed, as it is dangerous, and just to use a quick sideways glance once you have decided using your mirrors its safe. regards doing dual carriageways i take my learner on them ASAP (normally after 2-3 hours)to build confidence and to make there brain realise how slow 30 is, so once they are off so they feel they have more time to do the

[ianweir87]

MSPSL routine etc. Regarding the comment about stopping, this in my opinion should be a very last resort, if you get up to the speed of the traffic quickly enough and most slip roads are long enough even in a less powerful car then merging should never be a problem, dont be afraid to use 90% of the cars rev range to get up to speed.

[f4r33st]

1:10 that is so wrong to stop.. More danger.. u should accelerate to the same speed as the Carriageway! The safest way to enter it..

And what is that walk about stopping at the end? I would not listen to this video.

[kathryn8169]

@f4r33st yeah i know.you cant stop on a slip road

[Rebekah270984]

@f4r33st Ok then. What if there is no safe gap to join the carriage-way. I understand what you mean, but it is essential that you join the carriage-way in a safe gap. The reason for this is so that you don't force another driver to change their speed or direction, which 'could' cause an accident.

The slip road is there to give you that opportunity to match you speed to the traffic and join safely. But if there's no safe gap then you would need to stop ant the end of the slip road.

[lasafueras]

I've had over 30 lessons and I've never been o na dual carriageway. My instructor says we'll need to get it onto a few before my test, but I feel I should have been on it before now? Am I right? Some opiniosn please

[PkerShizerX]

on my 18th lesson I did 70mph... lol

[kathryn8169]

@lasafueras depends on if they think you are ready for a dual carriageway.they might want to get other skills up to scratch first.good luck

[Rebekah270984]

@lasafueras Hi. I'm a Driving Instructor myself, and I like to get my pupils on to dual-carriage ways as early as possible. Did you have your test booked when you posted this comment?

[1ns4ne1d10t]

(1:13) If that was me, I would flat it out infront of the Dark Red Focus saloon where the Corsa is, & chase that Dark Blue Vectras in the far right hand lane (1:16) thats just about enough gap to squeeze into quickly before that silver Renault Clio (1:18) gets there ! Mind you having a quick car with a powerful turbo helps in busy situations like this, not sure if that little 1.2 Corsa could be capable of pulling fast stunts like that though lol

[1ns4ne1d10t]

^^My manouvre is probably very dangerous according to highway code people & motor safety organisations blah blah blah & all the rest of it but, with a very quick car & a bit of balls it can be done! I would be in the right hand lane with the faster traffic ages ago!

[hulksjedi]

A bit of balls? you think those two dry little things hanging between your legs will stop you from being crushed like a tomato in your super-go-speed-racer-like car?

And BTW, even my 87 year old grandma can hit the road fast. It only takes a push of the pedal. A kid can do it (may be your case). Driving properly, on the other hand, requires discipline, focus, respect and attention.

Harder if you ask me. But again, be my guest, kill yourself and others thinking that way.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

You cant just INSTANTLY speed at the push of a pedal? it takes downward shifts first so WTF are you on about? Theres no way an average run-of-the mill 1.0-1.6 litre car could accelerate into a gap like that at 70mph!

So your 87 yearold grandma has a car with over 300Nms of torque power does she? Don't make me laugh! You are just another person that knows nothing about cars & thinks all cars are just the same & some cars "look" fast for the fun of it. I don't think youve heard of power.

[KingRizlaa]

i think you're a prick.

but hey

that's life.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

Yep, I can't argue much with that.

Keep on judging books by the covers!!!

[batlin]

1ns4ne1d10t:

You're what most people would call a "bad driver". Having a fast car and "ballsy" attitude does not give you the right to bully other drivers.

Have you ever considered that, even if you "squeeze into the gap" before another car gets there without hitting anything, you might cause another driver to swerve or brake suddenly and have an accident? No? Do you care?

Either slow down and show respect for other road users, or get the fuck off the road before you kill someone.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

No use telling me, try telling that to every sales rep or business bloke in London who drives a Mercedes E-class CDi or a BMW 525/530d. They ARE theee worst offenders for rude arrogant behaviour

[batlin]

Sure, the way a lot of people drive them nowadays, BMW might as well stand for "better move, wanker!" - but it's no excuse to act just like them, is it?

[1ns4ne1d10t]

Sorry but I disagree. You have to have a fast car especially these days... only to save yourself from those impatient pricks! If you need to change lanes for a good reason its a right fucking pain in the ass! I didn't realised how bad things have got on the roads since I woke up at 5 this morning & went to Gatwick in a 1.6 Xsara Picasso. I couldn't change lanes for shit! All the fucking assholes rob them & you can't use them! Thats why I have a 200Bhp car! Cut em up but they can't catch me up!

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t And do you think that is the right attitude to have on the road? If you make good use of the MSPSL routine then you would be able to make lane chages quite easily. There is no need for a car with that much power, not in terms of driving within the rules of the road. a 1 or 1.2 litre engine is every bit as capable as a 3 or 4 litre engine. Just because other drivers choose to be idiots doesn't mean you have to do it too.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 A 1.2 litre engine is as capable as a 3-4 litre engine!? And what planet do you live on? There is such a thing called horsepower, if you have more horsepower you are granted access to higher speed and bigger acceleration. I'd laugh my head off if your 90hp Corsa 1.2 suddenly starts becoming as capable on acceleration as my 200hp TDi. I reckon you are that impatient old grandad in that Honda Jazz who tried to take me on the other day but bit off more than he can chew. Ha ha

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Ok. I'll take both of you main points in turn.

SPEED:- The maximum speed limit in this country is 70 mph. Any modern car with a 1.2 engine can easily do 70 miles per hour. Any faster and you are breaking the law.

ACCELERATION:- I presume you mean acceleration to bully your way into gaps? With good use of the MSP-MSPSL routine, and using the gears correctly, changing lanes should never be a problem.

In short, the problem is YOU, not the car.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 Other cars are not there to be bullied I agree with you, they just get in my way all the time. Where do they go? Shopping, kids, holidays, all the crap that is asking them to be cut up and overtaken...

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t It is not for you to judge how should and should not be over-taken. When you are on the road, you are controlling 2 tonnes of metal. If you lose control you could kill somebody, and if you go on 'cutting people up' just because they are in your way, I can guaranteee that eventually you will lose control. Would you like to kill somebodys child just because they got in your way? STOP and think about your actions.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 Assuming you are a woman, you are very wide of the mark from real facts, my car doesn't weigh 2 tonnes, it weighs 1400KG - not near it. Therefore I am not controlling "2 tonnes of metal", most cars these days don't weigh 2 tonnes. I havn't lost control from cutting up because I am very capable of racing well and carefully controlling a car & I don't really care about 'somebodies' children, carry on your cooking as your kids will be home soon, don't try to argue with a man love.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t This is a joint account which I share with my girlfriend. I am 33 and I am a Driving Instructor. I don't care how capable you 'think' you are of controlling a car. Speed limits are there for a reason. If something un-expected happens, like another car pulling out on you, or a kid running into the road, you won' be able to stop in time as you would not be in full control of the car. Also do you think the public road is for racing? You REALLY need to re-think your driving.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 As a qualified instructor you of all people should know that there is a think distance and a brake distance. There is no set distance for braking and thinking at speed. The braking distance depends on the cars spec, if its a sport model with all-round discs i.e Brembo, will enable it to stop quicker than an 'SX' model with rear drum brakes. Thinking distance depends on a person, old granny smith in her Honda Jazz won't react as quickly as 25yrold Joe in his Porsche. Think.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t So because you're young and have a quick car, does that mean that the law doesn't apply to you. The law applies to EVERYBODY. If you crash and tell the judge 'I thought it was ok because I'm 25 and my car had disc brakes' he would laugh as he took your licence. Your attitude towards driving needs serious work before you kiil somebody.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 If you can control your car properly at speed and learn how to do it properly and do it in a car thats built for it then you won't be summoned because you won't have had an accident. I wouldn't do what these boyracers do, race round in a crumby £400 Corsa with a full pay load on drum brakes, thats asking for it. Learn how to take a racing line, learn how to balance the weight around a corner and learn how to do it properly, you won't have a problem!

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Yes you will have a problem, because you are viewing the public road as your own personal race track. The stopping distance at 40 mph is 36 metres, in a well maintained car on a good road. If you just think sod it, I've got a good car I'm doing 60, then your stopping distance is 73 metres...more than DOUBLE. Please, take my word on this. I am a professional, I know what I'm talking about. This is what I do.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 Both stopping distances on my Seat Leon and my sisters Rover 200 are an identical 36 meters at 40mph? I don't think so. You see, you only drive one type of car all the time, you don't drive several of them like I do. In conclusion to this I am afraid I refuse to take your word for it and I am not convinced, even though you claim to be a "professional" We could argue our points all day but we won't be convicing anyone. I'll stick to my habits and you stick to yours.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Think of it this way. If you hit a child in your car at 30 mph, there's a 50% chance they will survive, that's quite good odds. If you hit the same hcild, in the same car, doing 40mph, they only have a 5% chance. That child would have a 95% chance of dying as a direct result of your actions.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Now you will probably tell me how good your car is. Having a well maintained car is important to road safety, but it is not an excuse. Loss of control of the car depends on 3 factors, most important of the 3 is the driver. That's YOU. No matter how good the car is, you a human, and you will make mistakes. We all do. I do and the Driving Examiners do make mistakes. Reduce your speed and give yourself a chance on the road.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Also you're using racing terminology such as racing line and balance the weight around a corner. Ok, your car can do 50 around a bend (for example) What if on-coming traffic drifts into your lane and you have to swerve? What if there's a pothole that snatchs at the wheel while you're doing 50? Oil spill, mud, slow moving tractor, raised manhole. Anything could be around that bend. You NEED to reduce your speed.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t If you don't mind me asking, which area of the country do you live in. Either myself or another Instructor can help you before you have an accident? This is a life line for you, before you end up injuring somebody or ending up in jail.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 I appreciate your input and points of view during this debate, but I don't plan on booking an improvement lesson from an instructor. I'll drive the way I do and you do what you do so lets leave it at that

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t I won't leave it at that. You're driving is dangerous and you are going to end up killing somebody. You place too much trust in you car and in your own ability, where in actual fact both are falible. I suggest that at the very least you should purchase The Highway Code and a copy of Driving: The Essential Skills. You are dangerous at the moment and the person you kill could be your family. You need to change you attitude to driving and you need to do it immediatley.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 I believe the way I drive a car is a safe and competant way of driving and I have never had any issues with the way that I drive my car. I have never been pulled over for a ticking off from a Police officer, never had an NIP fall through my mail, and I have never had an accident or came close to killing anyone. I am not dangerous, that is your own opinion and quite frankly your opinion is worthless slander. I wish you well in teaching your fellow pupils your way of driving.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t So because you have never had a notice and never been pulled over, that makes you a good driver? No, it does not, it just means that you have never been caught. Probably because you slow down through the cameras and speed up immediately after. I haven't given much of my 'opinion', you wouldn't like it. What I have stated in these comments are FACTS. The speed limit is there for a reason, and by blatently ignoring it as you have admitted to you are causing a danger.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 I did not say "I break speed limits" the speed limit thing is your own input thrown in. I have a good no claims bonus and I have never been in trouble with the law over my driving, if I was that dangerous I would have been caught by now but I havn't so you are just trying to find slander.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t What you 'believe' to be safe and competent driving is a false belief in your own abilities and your car. Cars develop faults and humans make mistakes. Yesterday you amditted to cutting people up becasue they get in your way. How do you know that they won't swerve and cause a pile up behind you, while you drive on your way. It's not just you who has to be taken into consideration. From what you have said, you are an extremely dangerous driver with a false belief in you ability.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Ooooh this gets better. You use hand held devices while driving I see? Again creating a hazard on the road. Even using a hands free phone makes you 4 times more likely to crash, and that goes up if your holding somethng in your hand. And this is a safe and competent driver???

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 You are one sad freak you really are.

[Rebekah270984]

@1ns4ne1d10t Just to make it easier for you, heres your statement about yourself saying you use hand held devices while driving.

About Me: I do apologise to everyone but all the Video's have now been officially removed because I have had threats from a family member to tell the Police that I have been allegedly using a hand held device while driving. All Video's have been removed in fear that they will be used as incriminating evidence against me.

If you don't do it, why remove the videos???

[Rebekah270984]

@Rebekah270984 And this 'ragging Fords like racing cars'. I presume this is on the public road aswell? hate Fords, this is why I work for Enterprise. My mission there is to destroy them all. I openly drive them with much less respect then I do any other car. In my hands they get ragged about like a racing car so it will help to kill them better

The proof that you're a dangerous driver is on your own profile. Let somebody help you improve your driving, please, before you kill somebody!!!

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@Rebekah270984 Oh ok, whats your number so I can call your invisible driving school then? You are very very funny I'd like to have you as an instructor. Using my Walter Mitty stories I've told to Youtube idiots about my alleged driving is solid proof that I am a dangerous driver. Never mind I've never been pulled over and I have nothing on my liecence and it plans to stay that way.

[1ns4ne1d10t]

What really annoyed me this morning at Gatwick South terminal was that I was going to drop off at the underneath bit & while some sales cock in a Mondeo was trying to overtake me to cut me back up again just to get ahead of me some prick in a Merc 320CDI suddenly jumped in on me at the chevrons while I was keeping a careful eye on the cock behind. I almost shunted his rear end as a result of it. A coppa blatently saw him do that & never said fuck all! Sends a message out that its ok to do it.

[tag1989]

@hulksjedi respect? not really. discipline? not really either. you sound more like a country "folk". judging by your comment and the 10 other failures that thumbed you up, I take it your 1 of those slow drivers that are afraid to put your foot down.

[Samw6789]

to be fair, if you read the inscriptions at the bottom of the screen, he says you should check over your shoulders for cars in your blind spot.

[Kiowan918]

I'd add a check over your shoulder before you move into lane 1 aswell, mirrors don't cover everything.

[Squeaky4CC]

is it really neccessary to have lessons on thje motorway, unless ur confident?

[arfanrasul]

iD SAY NO, MOTORWAYS SHOULD BE USED AFTER YOU PAss, its difficult.

[democrazy1987]

you cant use motorways as a learner, its not allowed. this is a dual carriage way, not a motorway.you have to go on these in your test so you have to go on them.

[jhonny300007]

nice