Joining Dual Carriageways (DC’s):

 

Joining:

 

•   From slip road: Good speed to enter safely
•   Assess those entering if already on the DC or leaving.
•   Turning left;
•   Turning right;
•   Use of central reservation (protected turns)
•   Roundabouts (remember loss of speed sooner (70 MPH)).

 

Leaving:

 

•   Ensure you have your lane leaving position in good time.
•   Indicate your intentions in good time (/// Countdown markers).
•   Watch out for late decision makers who also want to leave
•   Try to do your slowing on the exit slip-road.

 

Forward Planning:

 

•   React in good time to vehicles both joining and leaving the DC.
•   Also broken down vehicles (hazard lights poss. red Warning triangle)
•   Dealing with emergency vehicles in good time.
•   Lane discipline (remember additional observations i.e. blind spot
•   Safe lane changing (see next section Motorways).
•   Separation distance (also refer to weather conditions 2).
•   Reaction in good time to road signs and markings.
•   Awareness and reaction to end of DC.
•   Speed limit awareness; Care for adjustment of after leaving the DC onto lower limit roads.

 

Overtaking:

 

•   When both safe and necessary
•   Correct procedure MPSL-MSM include a quick blind spot check to the direction you are moving i.e.   R/H when overtaking.
•   Crawler lanes up steep gradients and slow moving traffic.
•   Expect the unexpected with other road users and their associated actions whilst entering, leaving  and lane changing.
•   HGV: Also foreign lorries and their reduced visibility. High sided vehicles especially in adverse   weather conditions e.g. high winds.
•   Remember your actions affect those behind you (overtaking PSL, MSM)

Journey planning:

 

•   Planning a journey (use of satellite navigation still requires prior planning)
•   Fatigue- Adequate ventilation & use of service areas (beware of time limitations and associated  charges)
•   Correct use of the hard shoulder and the associated dangers.
•   Other occupants and safe vehicle exiting hard shoulder and service  areas/large car parking areas
•   Emergencies and how to deal: Have numbers: telephone and account  for breakdown or accident.
•  Dealing with animals on the road or an accident ahead (C/F Hazard  relay system).