INDICATE EARLY

A slip lane that leads onto the dual carriageway allows you to match your speed and to merge safely with traffic already on the dual carriageway.  Using good forward vision you will be able to judge the traffic flow early and start making a plan. You should maintain a dominant position in the middle of the lane to prevent other traffic squeezing past you. Use your mirrors and signal as early as possible, this gives warning to vehicles behind and on the dual carriageway. Look over onto the carriageway to assess the traffic flow and to locate a space to move into if required.

JOINING THE CARRIAGEWAYS

You must give way to vehicles already on the dual carriageway, sometimes they will move over to allow you to continue into the nearside lane. Other times they will stay in the lane and you will have to move in behind them.  You will need a final lifesaver before changing lanes but if it is not safe to proceed, you should slow down and look for another gap. Depending on the traffic flow will determine your next move. Once on the dual carriageway, you should cancel the signal and accelerate to an appropriate speed.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER - Joining carriageways

• Use good planning and observation
• LADA: Look, Assess, Decide, Act
• Signal early to join
• Match speed and find a safe gap to merge into
• Always give way and if required stop
• Final lifesaver before changing lanes
• Cancel signal in the new lane
• Get up to a safe speed as soon as you can