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Difficulty: EasyJoining the Motorway

You are driving along an acceleration lane preparing to join the main carriageway of a motorway. In addition to checking your mirrors and signalling, what final safety check should you make before merging?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights to ensure that drivers in the left lane give way to you
  2. Take a quick sideways glance over your right shoulder to check the blind spotAnswer
  3. C
    Rely entirely on your interior rear-view mirror without turning your head
  4. D
    Assume drivers of large goods vehicles in the nearest lane can clearly see you alongside

Answer

Take a quick sideways glance over your right shoulder to check the blind spot.
Under the Highway Code, drivers joining a motorway must give priority to traffic already on the main carriageway and ensure it is safe before merging. A quick glance over the right shoulder covers the blind spot area that mirrors cannot show, ensuring you do not pull out into another vehicle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess traffic flow on the main carriageway
Identify an appropriate gap in lane 1 while matching speed on the slip road.
Traffic on the main carriageway has priority, so you must merge smoothly without disrupting existing vehicles.
2
Check mirrors and signal your intention to merge
Rearward vision is checked and your intention is communicated clearly.
Signalling informs drivers in lane 1 of your intention to join.
3
Check the right-hand blind spot with a quick over-the-shoulder glance
Confirmation that no vehicle is hidden in the area beside your car.
Mirrors do not cover all areas directly alongside the vehicle, making a shoulder check essential before changing direction.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rule 259: Joining the motorway safely by checking blind spots in addition to mirrors.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Joining the Motorway

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