How to Join a UK Motorway

[@Swindondrive]

Audi drivers must be in lane 3 before the slip road ends. It's the law

[@shootmcrunfast]

I drive a very expensive and very powerful Audi. I pride myself on being a competant driver who is very considerate to other drivers. I guess you do not drive a very expensive and powerful car, but just choose to project your own failings onto others. Of course I am just an Audi driver so my opinion does not matter.

[@jayharrison7782]

It's usually the ones bitter about what other people drive that I find drive the worst.

[@Manu-Official]

I have 2 Audis, they should build a lane 4 just for me 😬

[@Manu-Official]

@@shootmcrunfast You can actually spot the anti-audi drivers on the road, they're usually the ones trying to create dangerous situations. I lost count of them.

[@fivish]

And BMWs and Range Rovers then stay in the outside lane for the entirety of their journey.

[@Nightcrawler666]

I admire your efforts. The problem is about 60% of drivers in the UK now are unable to learn how to grasp any of this.

[@alexb5815]

1 in 6 we’re not born in the U.K. so never learnt to drive here so often don’t even know they are holding up traffic or causing issues

[@maxcheese5586]

@@alexb58151/6 😂 you’ve been reading the daily mail to much old chap.

[@garymilne8900]

@@alexb5815 tell me youre a racist idiot, without telling me youre a racist idiot. cheers

[@Kalashnikoov]

You haven't been to Ireland have you? :D Driving on any ROI Motorway gives me brain cancer every time

[@Dylan20579]

Part of the issue is not being allowed to drive on motorways when youre a learner and even when you do pass your test you cant even go faster than 45mph

[@deanhawke2485]

Some many dickheads crawl on the slip round and make it dangerous for other road users.

[@douglasvick9703]

Do not forget The vehicle in lane 1 has priority...No obligation to move over for you.joining....Highway code 259....good info.....

[@owieprone]

It also might be safer to slow down and join behind the traffic already in lane 1 rather than go in front (not in this vids case though as slip is a good length)

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

My instructor always said you should move over if you can, just out of courtesy. I usually do and see many others doing so.

[@busterruff9369]

You should move over to let other driver on to the motorway,

[@paulqueripel3493]

​@@halfbakedproductions7887i know someone who failed their driving test (dual carriageway , not motorway) because he pulled over into an empty lane 2 coming up to a slip road. Changing lanes unnecessarily (no cars joined, but a lot of the time you can't see what's going to join due to walls).

[@garymilne8900]

@@paulqueripel3493 no you dont, because thats not a fail.

[@sprinterdriver4757]

My police instructor said if you cant join the motorway by the end of the slip road DO NOT STOP use the hard shoulder to extend your opportunity to join safely.

[@Andy-kd1kb]

Complete crap. If you're in that situation you've already failed. You should only be using the hard shoulder in an emergency

[@sprinterdriver4757]

@@Andy-kd1kb agree. But is advice was because it's safer then stopping on slip road then trying to accelerate to motorway traffic speed. The chap was the chief instructor for South Wales police. His experience of picking up the pieces after an accident and notifying the next of kin may have something to do with his thinking.

[@tconnolly9820]

Let's be honest, sometimes there is just no accommodation from traffic in lane 1 to allow you out whether you speed up or slow down. It happens.

[@robertpell9190]

Stopping in the slip road is fatal accident waiting to happen. If you do as instructed here 99% of the time you will enter lane 1 safely and those seeing you will appreciate the confident approach as they are not left guessing and start to change speeds or direction and cause safety issues. The 1% it doesn’t fall that way keep the speed up into the hard shoulder and into a suitable gap asap. Stopping is fatal

[@peeet]

Sometimes there isn't a hard shoulder. Smart motorways are less safe at this point, and so are road works. But that's a different problem.

[@R04drunner1]

Precise and to the point, Reg. Good one!

[@t190uk]

Reg. these type of videos need to go on National TV ads, I would estimate 50-60% of drivers don't know the basics like this or how to use roundabouts etc. Great videos as usual! 👍🏻

[@steveh3483]

Correct, but most Brits think they can crawl along and ‘expect’ everyone in lane 1 and 2 Has to move over for them, and maybe they will indicate at some point.

[@thomaspalmer36]

well technically if you're not overtaking anyone, you should be in lane 1!

[@northshoreplaid]

Same in USA...it's absolutely horrible. And better yet...4 card love to tailgate each other and all join at the same time. It's a pure $%^# show...

[@tedcopple101]

Most or some?

[@mikehunter2844]

Where did you get that information from?

[@CalandRoy]

An important system that’s executed so poorly by so many people. I think people would benefit from an extended version of this video. Along the lines of: Mirror, near side mirror, signal, deep right shoulder check, identify gap, speed correct, gear correct, mirror, offside mirror and into lane 1. I feel a lot of people race down the slip and hope there’s a gap!

[@johnfitzsimons3198]

somebody posted before on one of your other clips that these vids should be on tv, couldn’t agree more!…simple, concise & vital information you’re supplying 👏👏👏

[@PJvaleting]

Or like most , don’t indicate or check ya mirrors,blinds spot and expect those in lane one to move over , great up load 😊

[@stevecarter8810]

I prefer that rather than get to near the end, notice m way is busy, slow down while you worry, panic, optionally signal, then pull out in front of me at 45mph

[@YK-86]

I love this stretch from Botany Bay to Bolton

[@HarmonicaMustang]

Also don't focus on your speedo. Look for gaps as soon as you can (if crossing the motorway via a bridge before joining the sliproad, you can take a glance over the railings to judge traffic levels). I was nervous about that HGV for a while. I would have slowed down somewhat and joined behind him. A few seconds lost, but it saves you the stress and likely speeding to get ahead of them. Remember: HGVs will not stop quickly, so you should help them by leaving them a 2 second gap behind you (in dry conditions. Double it in wet). If you join right in front a HGV, and all of a sudden you need to brake hard because you were focusing on your speedo instead of what's on the road, you have not given that HGV the space he needs, putting yourself in danger. Give yourself options, join in behind the HGV, assess the situation, and then go for the overtake.

[@derekstocker6661]

Very well said, sadly so damned few seem to know this!

[@jaguarskills69]

A few? I'd say a lot.

[@robbiemarshall1481]

​@@jaguarskills69you think a lot of people know this? Why does like 90 percent of people join at like 50mph then 😅

[@bericjeavons8362]

It depends entirely on the length of the slip road. Generally yes, but if the road busy but not slow and the slip road is unnecessary short, this can be impossible to do safely at 70.

[@mdmconstruction]

Get good then you can do it

[@DrRusty5]

I would add, make the decision to join ahead or behind an approaching vehicle (especially slower ones) in lane 1 and then stick to that decision. If in the video above the lorry was just a little further ahead it might have been necessary to adjust the speed to join a safe distance behind it rather than end up racing up to the end of the slip road and pulling out in front of it or forcing it to move out to lane 2. If you time it right and traffic is clear you will be able to overtake the lorry safely with little to no delay.

[@wortonissk5302]

Some slip roads are extremely short therefore you cannot generate enough speed. Other times you have silly people who go far to slow or dont move in lane 1. Ive seen quite a few accidents on slip roads.

[@danc.9554]

Very elegant, sir!

[@Ken_Norman]

Great explanation and demonstration, John, and says it all. 👍🏻

[@zanderzoot]

I was told to use the offside lane if available to get an early look into the motorway, would you advise against this Reg? Thanks for all your videos mate. Would you consider making a short for exiting a motorway as well? Thanks again. 👍🏼

[@gilesaustin6780]

Perfectly done. So many people do not do this (and join lane 1 at the first opportunity rather than merging with other traffic)

[@HiMyNameIsDuckBoy]

Genuine question... shouldn't you indicate from the slip road to lane 1?

[@Flossie1985]

It's remarkable how many people go side by side with HGVs that are on the main carriageway and wonder what's going to happen next. I had someone in front of me, where there's a very long extended sliproad going from the M65 to the M61 North, brake hard to join between two slow lorries when he had plenty of opportunities to get safely ahead of both lorries and join.

[@elfitzedwards]

This is a proper service. Nice one

[@bodgiesteve8849]

Fantastic video, just like my old dad taught me. In Australia, they're putting traffic lights at the bottom of the ramp. It's also handy, if motorists on the highway move into the centre lane, to give room. But that's another story.

[@mattyjohnson2860]

Loving these vids. All bang on and great simple advice. Awesome work 😎😁

[@watchbonobo]

Great advice! Not wanting to criticise but I would perhaps have merged behing the HGV - not easy to be certain from your footage as we have no access to the view behind but I would be concerned about vehicles moving back into lane one after passing the wagon. Love your motorway advice overall - been saying for years we need specific motorway driving lessons.

[@jamesbettell]

A lot of people need this lesson.

[@saltpeter500]

Fundamentals. Keep going, this is what everyone should know about everyday driving.

[@mkheat1309]

Speed adjustment to pace and join this is correct but also remember the slip road is a minor road with the broken line at the end being a junction to the carriage way or main road. The high code states a main road has priority over a minor road, so if you can not join you stop until you can or as someone has mentioned utilise the hard shoulder until you can.

[@garyclarke5042]

This should be taught in all driving lessons 😊

[@mrep9460]

Iconic junction you entered on.

[@unofficialleeds9084]

It's so much easier to find a gap the quicker you reach motorway speeds. It can feel quite daunting joining a motorway for the first time, but so long as you match the speed of the traffic in good time, i can guarantee you will be able to find a gap without any of the main traffic having to move for you.

[@vimtocrazy739]

Great advice. Most people do not adjust their speed on approaching the carriage way.

[@FrailCaesar]

Bottany Bay on the left, man that brings back memories!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

We have a couple of slip roads locally that are very short indeed, one's on a bend and one's on the brow of a hill, it's crazy to get your speed up before you know if there's a gap to accelerate into. Likewise if I'm approaching these sliproads on the duel carriageway I make sure I'm in the outside lane just in case a vehicle tries to force his way onto lane one doing a silly slow speed. Great video if you have a decent sliproad 👍

[@krithikrb1142]

I think this information is useful for any highway in any country, not just uk

[@bowman4275]

Bad advice! There is no need to join at that speed and so close to the slip road end. Joining at the end leaves you with no alternatives. I would have joined behind the lorry. Speed matched but much safer. You should have added that the dashed line of the slip road means "give way" and you should be prepared to come to a complete halt on the slip road if it not safe to join. Difficult to do at that excessive speed. YOU have to give way to traffic already on the motorway!

[@MiniOne82]

Perfectly explained with out doing a 20min video.

[@serkanyankutan8939]

Thank you I have this all the time behind a driver doing 20 mph joining a slip road witch causes hazards

[@TimpBizkit]

I like it when the slip road just becomes lane 1. Then it's easy peasy.

[@danielpurchase9904]

Omg thank you for this!

[@1nspireheroes]

This exact situation happened to me just after i passed. Instructors did not teach on motorways at that time. I was bricking it cos i misjudged how much slip road i had to be able to get in front of the truck in lane one. Always look way ahead, ease off the gas and just slip in behind them.

[@urldroidsuperbot2139]

Here in UAE, lower speed limits are posted on the slip roads. It is frequently 80 km/hr when the main road in 120 or 140km/hr. Also, sometimes cameras are located there to collect fines. It just happened today that I managed to see the camera and slammed the brakes to below 80 while I entered it at 120.

[@gwilymthomas8011]

Sooo many drivers need this PSA

[@parkerpaulj]

Love the sound of your engine, what is it ?

[@bluric0]

There is one slip road onto the A3 from the Royal Surrey Guildford I wish we could do that. Every-time I use it the amount of drivers hogging Lane 1 and not clearing or moving over to Lane 2 when its free is insane and sometimes we are just at a standstill until there is a gap. Now I just avoid it 100% as it gives me anxiety every time

[@davidwright7050]

All slip roads joining a motorway have a mandatory 50mph speed limit to join traffic and you don't have priority over vehicles in lane 1 but they must be aware there is a merge and change lane if it's safe to do so.

[@Dime_Bar]

So many drivers need to watch this video.

[@FOOLSGOLD7875]

Good one, its very frustrating and dangerous when people join too slowly. If I am on the main carriage way I do move across to lane 2 on the approach If safe to let others on....but don't count on it.

[@derf9465]

The highway codes says you give way on the slip road to traffic on the road your joining. Dont see that often

[@anthonyleecooke]

Ahh yes good old Chorley I was once coming down here in my work van. When aAston Martin floored it In the rain. He spun 7 times before coming to stop. It's safe to say he had brown pants 👖

[@wrightwoodwork]

First thing is to asses the speed of traffic on the motorway then match the speed so you stay parallel with the gap and take the simple as that

[@old.not.too.grumpy.]

Whst he fsiled to mention is that the lines between the lsnes are longer and shorten when its safer to proceed into labe two to overtake

[@machendave]

Use your sodding mirrors, a quick glance over your right shoulder for anything in your blind spot is advisable

[@Austin40424]

Chorley! Always find that a bad one,thanks for this.

[@daftydave5349]

Problem is the nervous drivers ahead of you on the slip road that merge at 20mph and/or emergency stop so you end up going up their arse unless you give them half a mile of space

[@benrosenberg]

It's all very good saying getting your car up to speed, but when i'm riding my bike it's not so easy, especially with the stabilisers

[@OliverMoore1973]

I like your videos man, you're very good. Now. You should have another version which is narrated by a Chinese person.

[@D-oq7lm]

I noticed that when you were moving out in the lane you moved out at the same instant as signalling. I could hear the indicator on the video. May I suggest that you indicate before moving laness?

[@tedferkin]

I want to know what happened to people when they learned to drive. My instructor insisted that after I passed my test, that after a month I was to do some motorway driving with him. This is why I think motorway driving should be formed into the driving test/learning

[@ohjesushesaiditagain.6748]

I've never had a problem joining the motorway on my Rayleigh chopper.

[@joncotn]

I’ve been behind people on the slip road that stop, look right then join the motorway.

[@kylesmyle4907]

The amount of times I’m forced to join the m65 at 30 mph due to being behind wagons is genuinely dangerous sometimes. They either need to make it 2 lanes or reduced the incline.

[@iangraham871]

Reg, this is great, but it didn't sound like you were indicating on the acceleration lane, and you should probably inform people where they should do this. I was taught (IAM) that as a general rule you should start indicating right where the grass ends and the chevrons begin

[@MultiVeeta]

Also when you change lanes indicate first then move. DON'T move and indicate at the same time like this guy.

[@Odinscrow1962]

Do you need to indicate to move into lane 1 from the slip road?

[@magikjoe3789]

Yes, because you are changing lanes. The short white lines at the left edge of motorway lane one denote it as a give way line. That means the person on the slip road is to give way, not traffic already on the motorway 👍🏻

[@Portuguese-linguica]

In USA you to join the freeway you floor it a gap everyone until you get to your exit.

[@mark6245]

This is the way 😊

[@forlorndream1400]

For most cars it's a lot easier to brake than accelerate. Go fast and tap brakes gently to slip into a space instead of trying to accelerate into it.

[@i_maq]

What about when there's a queue on the slip road?

[@dukerider694]

The slipway is for booting it so you can go straight into the third lane 😊

[@madino]

What about signaling to traffic with your right indicator that you're about to join the motorway

[@Atticus3lack]

Remember if you are in a very busy lane 1 and there is a good amount of traffic coming down the slip road. Move over to lane 2 if its safe. Helps keep the flow of traffic 😊

[@mdmconstruction]

Yeah the ignoramuses that don't go over just be considerate it'd not hard

[@lynnebaldwin330]

The road conditions are not always ideal like those shown in the video, especially in rush hour. Not always that easy to just get up to speed and join the carriageway. You should consider the amount and speed flow of traffic in lane one and moderate your speed accordingly. Try joining the approach to the QE2 Bridge Crossing when it's busy!!

[@forlorndream1400]

That looked like the M61 near Botany Bay in Chorley.

[@jadtolley]

How can u build up speed when they put traffic lights at the bottom of slip road

[@emil_rainbow]

Are you indicating so thne unobservant can see you joining?

[@sherrattsp]

Remember the traffic already on the motorway has priority, you must stop on the slip road if you cannot get onto the motorway

[@RadicalEmu]

Whenever I join a motorway I get given the impression by other drivers that you're meant to do 40mph in the right hand lane

[@ohandanotheronebitesthedus6247]

So many drivers ive sat with slow down then shout that the other cars dont move over honestly we need legitimate refresher courses 😂

[@StephenButlerOne]

Tjis is why having a quicker car is safer. A quick car can get you out of situations in a safer manner.

[@briandodson8292]

Not just the UK. Drivers here in the US need to lean this, too.

[@peanuts2105]

Excellent driving. If you got the performance, give it a squeeze and you'll be in lane 3 in no time

[@jester-lester]

👍...and stay in lane 1 UNLESS you are overtaking

[@jaguarskills69]

To many lazy drivers think they have the right to stay in lane2 after overtaking a vehicle.

[@Forest_Knight]

What if there's no suitable gap and you're at speed and the slip road is ending?

[@tunnelliner.47]

Thank you for this. If I get stuck behind some numpty doing 40mph on another sliproad my head will explod🤬🤬

[@del4ev]

Your channel should be funded by the government. I hope more people get to see this 😊

[@aldionsylkaj9654]

Really refreshing you're utilizing shorts, teach the younger generation to drive 😆

[@markseabrook5279]

The worst offenders for inappropriate middle lane hugging are, in my observations, middle aged.

[@martinjh999]

I recognize that slip road - Chorley M61/62 I can't remember which one it is... :D

[@TheRyan668]

In the US we run to the end of the on ramp hit the brakes and wait... ugh

[@cougar02000]

And that's how to merge from a slip road on a motorway correctly, it's a pity too many drivers do it wrong, and make the merge dangerous by forcing other vehicles to either brake or change lanes suddenly to avoid a collision.

[@fivish]

I nearly hit the back of a car on the slip road that stopped while I was looking at approaching cars. He then waited for a long gap and set off quite slowly onto the motorway.

[@JurivonStolzenberg14]

As HGV driver I dont mind peioel coming on my left / inside, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A GOOD DIFFERENTIAL SPEED TO GET AWAY FROM MY TRUCK. HGV s do 45- 55 mph in lane 1. I dont brake , buy if somine struggles to gain speed I get off my gas,. Dony expect trucks with 44 tonnes to switch lanes for your 1,5 tonne not so sporty sports car. Any lane change for a truck is potentially a hazard to others behind who have poor onservation and spatial awareness skills- the majority in german sports cars in UK really. Doodling along waiting for sat nav / stars to show them the way. Screens and no brains nowadays 😅

[@adriancoppin977]

What happened to the acceleration lane that follows the slip road?

[@tommillard4193]

So many people don't get up to speed on slip roads it's frustrating when your behind those people

[@mdbbruno]

Wish you were the most watched channel in UK

[@LankyScotty]

Don't forget if you can't find a gap you still have to give way to those on the motorway not force yourself in

[@AndyJ9]

And don’t join in a multiple vehicle convoy, because one found a gap correctly doesn’t mean an untold amount of vehicles behind the first one can join causing people to touch the breaks

[@Zacksleeps]

people never let me on lol. I approach trying to match the speed. There's a little gap behind the car to my right that I want but then another car behind me is zooming towards me! And then HE doesn't slow down or change lane or help me out in any way, and then i'm screwed lol