Video Driving Lesson 27 Joining a Dual-Carriageway

A series of clips to show how to join a dual-carriageway.

Always look for signs which might indicate a higher speed limit on the dual-carriageway.
These clips show how to assess the speed of the traffic already on the carrigeway.

Some dual-carriageways are similar to motorways, with slip roads to join and leave. However, motorway regulations do not apply and you may come across slow moving vehicles such as cyclists or farm tractors.
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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• joining
• dual
• carriageway

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[felixthemaster1]

Thanks for this. today was my first dual carraigeway lesson

[1ns4ne1d10t]

@tag1989 Did you have a 170?

[tag1989]

@1ns4ne1d10t yes your right.

[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.

[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.

[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 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.