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Question

Difficulty: MediumLane Discipline

You are driving in Lane 2 (the middle lane) of a three-lane motorway and plan to leave at the next junction. In what order should you carry out the following actions to exit safely while observing correct lane discipline?

  1. 1Use the Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine to move into Lane 1 well in advance of the junction.
  2. 2Indicate left in good time, using the countdown markers (starting at the 300-yard sign) to time your signal.
  3. 3Steer smoothly into the deceleration lane without braking abruptly on the main carriageway.
  4. 4Gradually reduce your speed once fully within the deceleration lane and adjust to the slip road limit.

Answer

Move into Lane 1 well ahead of the junction using the MSM routine, signal left at the countdown markers while maintaining speed, enter the deceleration lane smoothly without harsh braking on the carriageway, and then decelerate once fully inside the exit lane.
Under Highway Code Rules 272 and 273, drivers intending to exit a motorway must get into the left-hand lane (Lane 1) well in advance of the junction. You should signal left as you approach the countdown markers while maintaining cruising speed. Steer smoothly into the deceleration lane before applying the brakes, ensuring all significant deceleration occurs within the slip road rather than on the live carriageway.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Check mirrors and move into Lane 1 (the left-hand lane) well before reaching the junction.
The vehicle is correctly positioned in the leftmost lane ahead of the exit.
The Highway Code requires drivers to move into the left-hand lane in good time rather than attempting last-minute lane changes near the exit.
2
Signal left in good time, using the 300-yard countdown marker to time the indicator while maintaining carriageway speed.
Surrounding road users are alerted to your intention to leave the motorway.
Signalling early while maintaining a steady cruising speed prevents following drivers from misinterpreting your intentions or braking unnecessarily.
3
Steer smoothly across into the deceleration lane without harsh braking on the live carriageway.
The vehicle enters the slip road safely without causing a hazard to traffic continuing on the main carriageway.
Braking on the live motorway before entering the slip road creates severe rear-end collision risks for trailing high-speed traffic.
4
Apply the brakes smoothly once completely within the deceleration lane to bring the speed down for the slip road.
The vehicle reaches an appropriate speed for the slip road bends or end-of-ramp junction.
Deceleration lanes are specifically designed to absorb braking off the main high-speed carriageway.

Key Concept

Motorway lane discipline when exiting requires establishing position in Lane 1 well before the junction, signalling at the countdown markers, and delaying braking until fully within the deceleration lane.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Lane Discipline

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