This has been bothering me for a while...
lets say you are going around a roundabout, come onto the motorway sliproad which has two lanes and there is a car/lorry on the inside lane of the
slip doing a speed slower than the one you know you want to be doing...
Is it acceptable to accelerate past them on the outside lane of the slip?
I have done this a couple of times and usualy had to pull onto the motorway early because the tosser in the inside lane of the slip pulls across onto
the outside slip lane to join the motorway without looking rather than waiting for another 20 meters for the inside slip to merge with the M-way
correctly....
Given that most slip roads are downhill, its fairly easy for me to exceed the speed limit before I join the M-way, (IMHO joining the road at 75MPH to
me seems like logical sence rather than joining at 20 like the bozos thismorning!)
What are the rules/etiquet of using M-way slip roads.....
[Edited on 23/1/08 by tegwin]
Not sure on the rules there, but i remember my first outing in the Indy after it was turbo'd, wet slip road small car on inside lane quick dab of
throttle and car was stuttering like mad, looked at clocks i was bouncing off the limmiter in top gear and was still on slip road.
After witnessing a minor accident on a roundabout which turned into an argument about rules of the road/etiquette at roundabouts, the copper gave both parties a sound bit of advice - If there is any doubt as to what the outcome will be, give way! Even if you know you are in the right it would be fairly daft to be pig headed about it and cause an accident.
Its down to the most common of disregarded rules - lane discipline.
Like roundabouts, if there are two or more lanes then drivers should stick to the limits of their lane and signal if they want to change direction
(after ensuring it is clear to do so)
The inside lane of a slip road joins the carriageway later than the outside lane so you are in the right to overtake .... just watch out for careless
lane changes by the other road user.
[Edited on 23-1-08 by RazMan]
There are good roundabouts and bad roundabouts by us. Some have perfect lane markings directing you to the appropriate exits but some have a series of concentric circles that are neither use nor ornament. However, it really doesn't seem to make any difference at all to the great British public!!
I'm not sure from a legal point of view, but I think that it depends on the way the slip joins the motorway, some are MILES long, some are very
short indeed. Now if I was driving an artic and had to take a good run up to get up to speed, then I would be pretty nobbed off if someone cut me up
from the outside.
I also think it should be treated similar to when a 2 lane dual carriageway drops to one lane, the fast lane has right of way IF you are level or
ahead of the car in the slow lane.
I have to admit I have on occasions booted it past said slow lorry to find him creeping over and had to cross the hatchings to get out of his way, but
generally, if I'm honest it was my fault for trying to be smart instead of just pulling in behind him and overtaking once I have 3 lanes to do so
in.
Like most things in a car, its a judgement call based on the individual circumstances, and they are so vaired its hard to be black and white about it.
Though I'm sure an insurer would put it down as a 50/50 claim 
Ive not read through it all, but highway code doesnt seem to cover this particular point.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069862
My personal view is that if safe to do so and you can get passed without causing an obstruction to the slower vehile in front then overtaking should
be OK. My logic is that if it wasnt allowed there would either only be one lane or a sign to say dont overtake.
It is quite legal, the slip road is classed as part of the motorway carriageway. It's very unusual to not see this happening in my experience.
I reckon trucks should be banned off the road cause they are a complete nuisance. Then you wouldn't have to overtake the lumbering mobile
roadblocks.
Lanes are marked but they disregard the limits without thought for other users crossing over whether you are there or not.
Get the freight back onto rails and have little electric trucks doing local deliveries.
Well, thats my 2 peneth worth 
(he says hiding behind the couch before the flack starts flying)
Slip roads usually have lane markings down the centre except for the last 40 metres or so. I'd say that lane discipline applies where there are
markings but after that it's a free-for-all.
Just make sure you're in front before the lines disappear................. 
Phil
if its a two lane slip road, I cant see the problem. As long as you are overtaking correctly, and not undetaking on the inside, and dont cross the
hatched areas etc.
ie normal lane discipline etc.
I would say, as long as you are in front of the vehicle before the lane marking disappear then you are ok, but I know what you mean, the number of
people that don't stick to their lanes is unbelievable. My pet motoring hate is people that don't use lanes properly.
Cheers
Scott
quote:
Originally posted by phoenix70
I would say, as long as you are in front of the vehicle before the lane marking disappear then you are ok
quote:
Originally posted by smart51
Also agree with the sentiments, above, that say "if in doubt give way". Better you lose your right of way than lose your car.
You can use lane 2 to overtake on a slip road onto a motorway or dual carriageway but the important thing is to judge your speed and distance so that
you and the vehicle you are overtaking in lane 1 do not arrive at the junction at the same time. It is not against the law but it is specifically
mentioned in the Highway Code that you should not drive from the slip road straight into lane 2 of the Motorway. This is extremely dangerous.
It should also be remembered that you are joining a major road and therefore do not have priority over traffic already on the Motorway. The skill is
to blend and fit in with other traffic and inconvenience nobody.
It is also worth remembering that if you cause any driver by your actions to change direction or speed, you are guilt of driving without due car and
attention.
John Bonnett (ADI retired)
I've been reading this and wondering how to word a reply only to get to the end and find you've read my mind, John.
Perfect explanation!
adrian
Great minds Adrian
im hoping that rising fuel costs will lead to just this, though i doubt the rail network is up to the job after years of neglect/dismantling. A little
funding into the rails might avoid a lot of funding into road widening etc...
Plus its ridiculously more economical to have it on rails. Every carriage slip streaming the one in front!
quote:
Originally posted by coozer
I reckon trucks should be banned off the road cause they are a complete nuisance. Then you wouldn't have to overtake the lumbering mobile roadblocks.
Lanes are marked but they disregard the limits without thought for other users crossing over whether you are there or not.
Get the freight back onto rails and have little electric trucks doing local deliveries.
Well, thats my 2 peneth worth
(he says hiding behind the couch before the flack starts flying)
Legality on the roads.... pfffttt..... there is no law!
The Highway Code is a Guide, not the law.
If there is a white line (either broken or solid) seperating you from another lane - crossing the white line is your responsibility - contacting
another vehicle whilst negotiating this line is your fault - the third party has right of way. It's irrelevant where you are on the road.
It is not illegal to pass someone on the inside - if you perform this manouvere then cut into the same lane (undertaking) then this manouvere is
dangerous and you MAY be prosecuted for this action. If you drive SENSIBLY then you will not be penalised for it.
I personally - "undertake" regularly and have never been pulled for it. If I'm passing somone on the inside and they pull into me -
they are at fault NOT YOU, as stated earlier - they are crossing lanes, not you.
Ultimately - as stated before, it is bad lane discipline that leads to accidents...
Lane 1 - Driving Lane
Lane 2 - Overtaking Lane
Lane 3 - Overtaking Lane
Once you complete a manouvere pull to the left... how easy is that! Lorry drivers do it!!!
Steve