Same law since motorway's were built.

[zabado]

Why do people think it's their right of way when joining a motorway ?.I drive a HGV so if I'm driving down a motorway and there is room, and it's safe for me to pull into the second lane to let you on the motorway I will. But obviously if there is another vehicle there I can't.So would all the drivers who are giving me the "V" sign for not moving out read the hi-way code and adjust your speed. Slow down to come on behind me or accelerate off down the slip road.I can't pull into the second lane if there's somebody in it.(some of these driver's have no understanding just how heavy or what damage 44 ton can do).

[ummmm]

I thought that's what most people do.

Maybe not then....

[bazwillrun]

Its the same for a lot of car drivers.
Its called ignorance.
I do not slow down to let people join the M-way why should I , I have right of way its either up to them to slow down and drop in behind me or to speed up and go in front, if they can.

And they are the one who start flashing, hooting etc and get annoyed.

[sddsddean]

Because most people don't know what the different sorts of white lines mean...they just think they are lane markings. "1 and 1's" (1m line, 1m gap) mean Give Way. Most people don't know that on a single carriageway "6 and 3's or 4 and 2's" in the centre mean Hazard, but still insist on overtaking on bends, blind summits etc., but then again, is anyone taught this anymore during their driving lessons?

[Khandro]

You have obviously never taken you 44ton HGV out of the UK, please don't! If you try to adopt such a selfish attitude on the motorways of the rest of Europe (or the USA, for that matter) you will soon find yourself in a serious accident. You talk as if the person joining the motorway is always someone else, don't you have to do it too? Of course the person entering must try to adjust their speed to fit in, but you must also drive with sympathy and courtesy.

[Davethedog]

Khandro just as with manners, driving with sympathy and courtesy is nice but however not a requirement.

The reason that we have laws is so that there cannot be a dispute and the law is clear on an entry to a motorway there are give way markings that means, and it cannot be disputed, the person entering the motorway MUST give way. Just the way they must on any other road. zabado doesn't have to get out of the way, the onus is on the people on the slip road

As for abroad have you ever driven on a French or Spanish motorway?

[sddsddean]

Must say Khandro that I used to drive my artic to Austria and back every week and hardly ever had a similar problem, especially in Germany. Perhaps its because to pass your test in Germany you have to do so many hours training on a motorway.

[zabado]

Just to put you in the picture Khandro,and please feel free to reply. I have been driving HGV class 1 vehicles for over 30 years and in that time I have driven to EVERY country in Europe with the exception of Portugal. I've been as far east as the Russian border, south to Sicily,Greece,north to Denmark,Sweden. I have worked for a Belgian firm in Antwerp for 5 years. In short please don't try to teach your Granddad how to suck eggs.

[ChuckFickens]

I wish a lot of lorry drivers would realise that indicators are there to show an intention to do something and flicking them on doesn't give them the right to change lane. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been travelling at about 1.5lorry lengths behind another car at about 70MPH, the car in front starts to pass a lorry, the lorry flicks its indicators on and then just pulls out into the gap causing me to brake hard.

[doctordb]

chuck, a lorry driver using indicators? when? ;-)

[tonyav]

That has happened to me quite a few times Chuck.

[RATTER15]

When joining a motorway I have no problem in adjust my speed to either pass a vehicle on the inside or to slow down to slip in behind it, I would never expect a vehicle driving at speed to change speed or direction to accommodate me, however if they do move over to allow to join the motorway it is greatly appreciated.

[THEMOTLEY1]

Lorry Drivers, just one place up in the popularity league from those who tow caravans imho.

[Khandro]

zabado: If you have driven on a German Autobahn for example and never slowed down or moved over to accomodate a motorist joining from the right you have either led a charmed existence or left a lot of annoyed motorists in your wake.

[zabado]

I totally agree with chuck,doc & Tony.There are some terrible drivers on the roads. HGV,Bus,Van & most of all Car drivers TRYING to pull caravans(but that's for another day). It seems that everyone today is in far too much of a hurry to care about the other guy.(I do) The last thing I want to see is someone's car going underneath my truck.Please think about it ,my feet in the truck are above your head in the car.....a 1 ton car Vs a 44 ton truck .

[zabado]

Khandro. I have driven thousands of kilometers on German autobahns and like I said on my initial post "if I can move out I will" They have no overtaking zones for HGV's on lots of their roads and the polizei are always ready to take a few euros out of your wallet.The quality of driving in Europe is a lot better, the drivers will slow down or accelerate on the slip road if I can't move to the second lane.

[TWR]

Just a tip from an old hand Zabado, forward thinking? if a slip road comes off, a slip road comes on as a rule, I always thought that way then you never get to the point that you have no where to go.

[zabado]

I know what your saying TWR , but the fact remains if your on a slip road you are joining the M/way I'm not joining the slip road.At the end of a slip road there's a broken white line to show where the slip road ends and the M/way starts.You have to cross this white line not the driver already on the M/way .The Hi-way code states YOU must give way.By the way I'm an old hand too (HGV1 for 39 years )

[cathfromsaron]

i thought you were supposed to maintain your speed and slot in!

but i always change lanes to let people in if i can! x

[Khandro]

In the most recent edition of the Highway Code, courtesy is stressed as a requirement, not an option, but this of course goes for everyone, including those entering.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely it is just common sense for all drivers to adjust, speed or whatever, to aid the rest ? We all have a desire for the journey not to be stressful. Folk entering a motorway adjust to fit into a space without causing those on the motorway major issues, whilst those on the motorway adjust to ensure the space exists.