Drivers warned about ‘dangerous’ mistake on UK motorways

With millions across the UK taking to the roads every day, safety is vital, but experts have warned that this manoeuvre "doesn't just frustrate other drivers" but "actively undermines everyone's safety". If you enter a motorway too slowly, you are risking the safety of yourself and other drivers around you, experts have warned motorists. You may also not know that you could even be prosecuted under some circumstances.

10 obscure driving laws you may not know

Frustrated motorists slam drivers for being 'too safe'

Taking to the r/drivingUK[1] forum on Reddit, a post reads: "There's such a thing as 'too safe a driver, ' and it's infuriating."

Thousands took to the comments, quickly agreeing, but specifically focusing on safe drivers entering motorways too slowly. The main post said: "Some people think they are a safe driver but they are wrong. If you're entering a motorway at 40mph, when you join you will inevitably slow down the people moving at 70mph.

You would fail a test for that so why do you do it on your regular day-to-day?" One commenter agreed, saying: "Yes I agree, a driver lacking in confidence can be just as dangerous as an overconfident driver." Another said: "Slower doesn't always mean safer.

"If you're not capable of getting up to speed on a slip road, that is dangerous."

What do experts say about entering a motorway too slowly?

Pete Ridley is a motoring[2] expert at Car Finance Saver[3], and has discussed the issues with entering a motorway or dual carriageway too slowly. He said: "One of the most dangerous things you can do when joining a motorway is failing to match the speed of the traffic already on it. "While it might feel safer to approach with caution, entering a motorway too slowly can actually increase the risk of accidents for both you and other drivers.

@uktoday_ Think your car insurance has you covered?

Watch this to be sure. #carinsurance #carinsurancetips #uknews #uknewsheadlines ? original sound - UKToday ?? Newsquest[4][5][6][7][8][9]

"The whole point of a slip road is to give you enough space and time to accelerate to the appropriate speed, ideally close to the flow of motorway traffic, so that your entry is as seamless as possible.

"However, when you hesitate or creep onto the carriageway at a much lower speed, you're forcing fast-moving traffic to suddenly adjust, which can result in dangerous braking, swerving or last-minute lane changes." He warned that this can cause "ripple effects down the motorway[10]" and incrase the chance of rear-end collisions or multi-car pile-ups and warned that drivers cannot always react and accommodate. "The speed differential is huge and extremely hard to accommodate in such a short time frame," he said.

"Drivers of HGVs particularly struggle to make rapid adjustments due to their vehicle size and braking distances, so, ironically, being "overly cautious" and too slow doesn't just frustrate other drivers, it actively undermines everyone's safety." Entering a motorway too slowly can cause accidents and traffic build-up (Image: Getty Images) The experts also warned that using the hard shoulder as a "buffer or fallback option" is a serious hazard that can lead to collisions and is "illegal in most circumstances". On how to enter safely, Mr Ridley said: "The key is preparation: check your mirrors early, pick your spot, accelerate decisively, and merge confidently.

"If every driver did this, motorway flow would be much smoother, safer, and far less stressful."

Can you be fined for entering a motorway too slowly?

As explained by the RAC[11]: "Minimum speed limits are rare in the UK, but they do exist in places where going too slowly can cause increased congestion or high risk of a crash, such as in tunnels."

UK speed limits explained

Minimum speed limits are marked by a blue, circular sign containing the minimum speed limit. The RAC says that although there isn't an official minimum speed limit on most motorways, travelling too slowly can be considered dangerous. Recommended reading:

If police catch you, while it would typically only lead to a verbal warning, drivers could be prosecuted for careless driving. Careless driving in the UK can result in various penalties the UK, such as fines, penalty points, and even disqualification from driving. The punishment given typically depends on the severity of the offence and whether it resulted in harm or damage.

References

1. ^ r/drivingUK (www.reddit.com)
2. ^ motoring (www.theboltonnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Car Finance Saver (carfinancesaver.co.uk)
4. ^ @uktoday_ (www.tiktok.com)
5. ^ carinsurance (www.tiktok.com)
6. ^ carinsurancetips (www.tiktok.com)
7. ^ uknews (www.tiktok.com)
8. ^ uknewsheadlines (www.tiktok.com)
9. ^ ? original sound - UKToday ??

   Newsquest (www.tiktok.com)

10. ^ motorway (www.theboltonnews.co.uk)
11. ^ RAC (www.rac.co.uk)