Whether you’re a newcomer to driving or have some experience on UK roads, chances are you’ve come across or heard about a slip road. If you’re unsure of what the term means and want to learn more, you’re not alone. Knowing how to handle a slip road correctly can significantly improve your driving game and keep you cruising safely.
That’s why we’re here – to break down everything you need to know about slip roads and the essentials for navigating UK roads as a driver.
What is the definition of a slip road?
In simple terms, a slip road is a designated section of roadway designed for joining or exiting a motorway or dual carriageway. It provides a transition area where drivers can pick up speed to merge onto the main highway. It’s important to note that slip roads are only one-way, running in the same direction as the road you intend to join. Therefore, you will find one on each side of the motorway. That sounds easy enough, but there is more to slip roads than meets the eye.
How do you merge onto a major road using a slip road?
When merging from a slip road, it’s important to accelerate to match the speed of traffic on the motorway, ensuring your safety and that of other drivers. Remember it’s much easier to slow down to join traffic at the end of the slip road than it is to speed up. If you’re going slower than the vehicles already on the road, you might cause them to brake suddenly, potentially creating congestion – known as ‘jamiton’ where traffic slows down to around 12mph.
As you accelerate, look for a gap in the traffic aim for it – don’t forget to indicate. Use your car’s mirrors to signal and check your blind spots, ensuring awareness of the road before joining. That’s particularly crucial when navigating merging slip roads, as you’ll need to transition onto the inside lane of the main road.
It’s usually best to go for a gap in front of a vehicle, especially if there’s a long line of lorries. Trying to slot in behind can end up taking a long time, to the point you risk running out of road.
Slip roads onto dual carriageways can be quite short, leaving little room to accelerate. It those cases, it’s often best to stop at the start of the slip road to give yourself plenty of time to spot a gap, then accelerate rapidly into it.
All of this might sound intimidating if you’re new to driving and it can certainly be daunting the first few times you attempt it. However, it’s an aspect of driving that becomes easier over time. Most motorists on the main carriageway will recognise the presence of a slip road and either move to the right or slightly slow down (if safe to do so) to create space for traffic merging onto the main road.
What are the two types of slip roads?
In the UK, there are two primary types of slip roads. The vast majority are the type that stop at the main carriageway – the border between the two is marked with a dotted white line. The other type is a slip road that becomes lane one of the main carriageway.
With the first type, as discussed above, you need to join the main road by moving across, changing lanes from the slip road. The second type operates slightly differently in that you remain in the lane the slip road became until the road markings indication you can move over.
Slip roads for exiting a major roads
Slip roads aren’t just used for joining a dual carriageway or motorway – you also used them to exit. It may be tempting to slowing down well in advance, but most slip roads and are also intended as deceleration lanes. Some are as much as half-a-mile long, so there’s plenty of time to slow and get into the correct lane for exiting the slip road.
However, just as some slip roads onto a carriageway can be short, so can slip roads off. Even longer ones can become rather sharp bends. There should be signage indicating the severity of the turn; if not, err on the side of caution.
On approach top slip road, you’ll see countdown markers with angled white lines. They mark 300 yards, 200 yards and 100 yards to the start of the slip road.
FAQs
What is the speed limit on a slip road?
The speed limit on motorway slip roads is typically 70mph, unless indicated otherwise by signs. However, for slip roads on other types of roads, such as dual carriageways, there is no standard limit. In these cases, maximum speed limits are indicated by signs along the slip road.
Is stopping permitted on a slip road?
Stopping is generally not permitted when driving on a slip road, except in emergencies. In such cases, it’s advisable to move your vehicle as far to the left as possible to reduce traffic disruption. However, if you encounter difficulty joining a major road from a slip road due to heavy traffic, it’s safer to stop and wait for a suitable gap rather than attempting to swerve onto the road.
Overtaking on a slip road?
When there are two lanes available, overtaking is permitted on slip roads. However, it’s important to exercise caution as slip roads are primarily used for adjusting speed during merging or exiting a major road. If a vehicle ahead is moving at a particularly slow speed, drivers should assess the situation and use their judgement to decide whether overtaking is safe and appropriate.
