Forgot to add this to the video, but rule 134 of The Highway Code states: You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed. See it for yourself: www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158
for the best flow of all traffic; there was a Canadian study that showed if traffic is flowing with no queue then move into the open lane early, if traffic is queueing at the lane closure then use both lanes and merge in turn, if drivers leave space and do not tailgate then the traffic can merge smoothly. this confirms your video at 9:16, excellent explanation.
The issue becomes that if everyone moved early, the road would continue to flow. Its cunts in BMWs and Audis flying down the open lane, jumping the queue because they are "right" to merge in the turn. So it becomes self-fulfilling. Not moving over is why the queue has to stop to let these selfish wankers in.
I used to thought that if most people were in one lane, the people in the quiet lane are doing it wrong by cutting in line until I read an article from the RAC. I now use all available space in heavy or slow traffic and move over ASAP if I am on a fast road with light traffic. If on a two lane road, one lane is closed, or I am closest to the cones, then I travel at a speed around 60 mph if no one is working nearby or less than 50 mph if someone is working nearby (i.e., within 10ft) on a motorway or dual carriageway with a speed limit of 50 or more, unless that speed limit has been reduced due to roadworks. I also try to give at least a full lane between me and the highway maintenance or emergency vehicle, or to slow down to 50 mph or less if possible. Please note that I passed my test in september 2021
I think many are like yourself, including me, at first feeling like it is wrong to use both lanes in busy traffic, but when re-educated realising it is ok to use both lanes and what is recommended.
The average drive needs clear signage to know hen to zip and when to move over at the earliest opportunity. Some random video on the RAC website is not helpful, and very few drivers actually remember the Highway Code beyond the basics to get through their test, This situation is confusing because it is not consistent... like when you can and can't enter a yellow box turning right.
Okay, here's the thing... Despite you being correct according to Highway Code, drivers who prefer to queue will not *willingly* allow you to merge when the lane closes. Therefore, it is logical to merge earlier so that you can do so easily with little stress (and also because it might result in the same outcome anyway if many drivers don't let you merge.) This process then continues since everyone thinks "I had to merge earlier why do they get to do otherwise". I'm sure that you always try to merge in turn but for most drivers would prefer to queue (to an extent) then have less hassle because most people are not going to let them in easily. It's basically a vicious circle. Ultimately, in layman's terms, you are in a sense queue jumping because that's literally what is happening, it just isn't your fault that everyone else decided to queue up. I.e. this is the definition of queue jumping even if it has implications that you do not like. Or you may be talking about a driving instructor definition. In another comment you argue that it's about British politeness which I agree with is a big factor. But that's the point: social etiquette is by consensus - if 90% of people think you're being rude, you essentially are even if you're following the rules and they aren't because you're kind of saying 'to hell' with you idiots. Whereas most people prefer to humour even people's idiocy simply to be polite. I understand that you're a driving instructor so it's bit different. I think merge in turn signs would solve this like you mentioned. Also, FWIW, I believe 90% of drivers who merge in turn, have no idea that they are doing the 'correct' thing and totally believe they are simply queue-jumping to save time and don't care about the Highway Code. Thanks for reading.
2 shorter queues are better than 1 long queue, it amazes me that some drivers don’t understand merging in turn, it’s not queue jumping, it’s using all of the available road space right up until the actual point of lane closure which improves traffic flow by getting twice as many vehicles through the same point and it also minimises disruption further back down the road at junctions, people who think it’s queue jumping and change lanes to block drivers from queue jumping need to be educated on merging in turn.
One good thing about getting into the closing lane is that you can avoid the slow vehicles in the through lane. I’ll never understand why the through lane is traveling so slowly . . .
yes true, but even if the signs saying "Use BOTH lanes" and "Merge in turn" were out it would help a bit but chances are people will not look at them or if they do they will ignore or misunderstand them.
I don't think I've seen the sign in question but there are signs on a busy single carriageway where I live which, after traffic lights with two lanes merge into one, there are signs "MERGE IN TURN" but many inconsiderate drivers just ignore them causing others to slow down and putting them in danger.
Beautifully done. Could a learner on test just choose to queue in through lane though? (I guess this could prove more difficult if they then cause an obstruction)
The thing is if everybody used both lanes and merged in turn at the end then no-one would have a percieved advantage as both lanes would be of equal length.
Is this queue jumping on dual carriageways & motorways? No. Should you merge in turn for lane closures? Yes. I disagree it is controversial. You should always use the road space and changing lanes early causes more delays, more frustration for those already in that longer lane and longer waits. I completely agree with you. I notice the silver estate in front straddled the line to block it.
Merging in the turn at speed on motorways is high dangerous, which s why the Highway Code specifically says you should not do it... unless you drive a German car and are more important than everyone else. They probably have some important thing to do, like save a child's life.
Why is this such a big thing in the UK? Every video ive seen where people stand in stupidly long lines with an empty line next to it where from the UK. Usually videos of bad driving are either from the US or russia. Recently i saw a video where a van risked a crash just to stop somebody from being smart. And another video where someone was activley blocked from entering. Im not from the UK but whats the reason people dont do it, it would benefit everyone
in short... British people like a good queue. In more depth... even when the queue starts British people feel rude to us both lanes as they might get ahead of the driver that was in front of them, this goes against British etiquette, better to just be kind and not try and upset the other driver. This approach works in many aspect, which is why the UK roads are some of the safest in the world (with a bit of quite research apparently the UK is 11th place for fewest road collisions per 100,000 people, some of the countries above the UK are more really due to limited traffic, such as Maldives and Micronesia, but countries with more traffic above UK include Sweden, Japan, Iceland and Norway). This approach however does cause problem when it comes to traffic, another common UK issue is the 'stalemate' at mini roundabouts, every driver is too kind to move as they want to give way to the other drivers, sometimes takes a few moments for someone to be assertive and just go.
@@UKDrivingTest I expect Sweden Iceland Norway have reduced speed limits or drive slower due to ice while Japan I expect has more city driving in tiny cars at low speed due to high population. So UK could potentially be the safest when factors like these are taken into account, especially if the most antisocial of BMW drivers are excluded. I think it creates a dangerous situation when a stream of drivers doesn't allow a zip merge so there should be penalty points for whoever is not in front and not giving way
That long queue is constantly being stopped by BMW and Audis flying down the empty lane and pushing it. Each time they do it, the queue has to stop. The real issue is queue jumpers
Let's get rid of all signs, and rely on everyone remembering the Highway Code? That code that has two rules for merging depending on the speed of the traffic. You are a genius.
@eljay5009 The US doesn;'t seem to have a problem with having zip merge signs. Yet we want people from over 200 countries that drive on our roads to remember the exact nuance of when you zip merge and when it is highly dangerous. OK. And let's not call it a zip merge (something you can imagine), let's use "Merge In The Turn" which is really obvious to everyone. Not 'at the turn'... 'in' it.
This section around Horsham is a nightmare. I always use the lane with the least traffic, and merge at the merge point. Society in general is full of sheep, waiting to be lead and desperate to copy the sheep in front. Free-thinkers aren’t usually welcome with them 😂…look at the idiot in the Silver Mercedes estate at the merge point…guardian of the highways, apparently.
Yes society in the UK is full of sheep, guess it is just the way the human brain works, it wants to do what others are doing under a false impression that is a safest or correct things, safety in numbers and all that. Hopefully this video will inspire a few more to move away from the herd and use both lanes to queue.
90% of drivers do not do it because it is f'ing rude to change lanes to overtake a queue. The slow moving left lane is because of queue jumpers. It is not zip merging to leave lane 1 to progress and then have to zip to rejoin.
It's not rude to correctly drive, you're clueless. The two lanes are two different queues, idiots in the left back up other roads because they're too thick to follow the highway code
I'm assuming that by "f'ing rude" you mean, the right thing to do. If the lane you are in is congested then move into a less congested lane (when safe to do so) to ease the congestion. The main thing that causes the traffic is the people in the congested lane not leaving enough space between them and the vehicle in front for a car to fit into smoothly and without much adjustment of speed. If you're closing the gap and not letting a car fit in front of you then you are assisting in building up the traffic. The 90% of drivers that don't use the lanes correctly are the reason it's so backed up and not flowing properly. If you think about it logically, the lanes are for overtaking. Getting angry at people merging in turn properly like this is exactly the same as getting angry at someone overtaking you on the motorway and I bet you don't get angry everytime someone overtakes you on a motorway!!
The only time that happened in the video was with a learner who has never encountered it before, in every other example they merged from the right lane as you should.
Forgot to add this to the video, but rule 134 of The Highway Code states:
You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.
See it for yourself: www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158
Exactly !! Its not pushing in its using all the available road space to help traffic flow better. Known as zip merging.
for the best flow of all traffic; there was a Canadian study that showed if traffic is flowing with no queue then move into the open lane early, if traffic is queueing at the lane closure then use both lanes and merge in turn, if drivers leave space and do not tailgate then the traffic can merge smoothly.
this confirms your video at 9:16, excellent explanation.
The issue becomes that if everyone moved early, the road would continue to flow. Its cunts in BMWs and Audis flying down the open lane, jumping the queue because they are "right" to merge in the turn. So it becomes self-fulfilling. Not moving over is why the queue has to stop to let these selfish wankers in.
90% of British drivers deffo agree this is queue jumping but you are correct. I’ve got so much road rage from this over the years
I used to thought that if most people were in one lane, the people in the quiet lane are doing it wrong by cutting in line until I read an article from the RAC. I now use all available space in heavy or slow traffic and move over ASAP if I am on a fast road with light traffic. If on a two lane road, one lane is closed, or I am closest to the cones, then I travel at a speed around 60 mph if no one is working nearby or less than 50 mph if someone is working nearby (i.e., within 10ft) on a motorway or dual carriageway with a speed limit of 50 or more, unless that speed limit has been reduced due to roadworks. I also try to give at least a full lane between me and the highway maintenance or emergency vehicle, or to slow down to 50 mph or less if possible.
Please note that I passed my test in september 2021
I think many are like yourself, including me, at first feeling like it is wrong to use both lanes in busy traffic, but when re-educated realising it is ok to use both lanes and what is recommended.
The average drive needs clear signage to know hen to zip and when to move over at the earliest opportunity. Some random video on the RAC website is not helpful, and very few drivers actually remember the Highway Code beyond the basics to get through their test, This situation is confusing because it is not consistent... like when you can and can't enter a yellow box turning right.
Okay, here's the thing... Despite you being correct according to Highway Code, drivers who prefer to queue will not *willingly* allow you to merge when the lane closes. Therefore, it is logical to merge earlier so that you can do so easily with little stress (and also because it might result in the same outcome anyway if many drivers don't let you merge.) This process then continues since everyone thinks "I had to merge earlier why do they get to do otherwise".
I'm sure that you always try to merge in turn but for most drivers would prefer to queue (to an extent) then have less hassle because most people are not going to let them in easily. It's basically a vicious circle.
Ultimately, in layman's terms, you are in a sense queue jumping because that's literally what is happening, it just isn't your fault that everyone else decided to queue up. I.e. this is the definition of queue jumping even if it has implications that you do not like. Or you may be talking about a driving instructor definition.
In another comment you argue that it's about British politeness which I agree with is a big factor. But that's the point: social etiquette is by consensus - if 90% of people think you're being rude, you essentially are even if you're following the rules and they aren't because you're kind of saying 'to hell' with you idiots. Whereas most people prefer to humour even people's idiocy simply to be polite. I understand that you're a driving instructor so it's bit different.
I think merge in turn signs would solve this like you mentioned.
Also, FWIW, I believe 90% of drivers who merge in turn, have no idea that they are doing the 'correct' thing and totally believe they are simply queue-jumping to save time and don't care about the Highway Code.
Thanks for reading.
I've had people pull out on me multiple times to stop me from zipper merging on a lane closure
2 shorter queues are better than 1 long queue, it amazes me that some drivers don’t understand merging in turn, it’s not queue jumping, it’s using all of the available road space right up until the actual point of lane closure which improves traffic flow by getting twice as many vehicles through the same point and it also minimises disruption further back down the road at junctions, people who think it’s queue jumping and change lanes to block drivers from queue jumping need to be educated on merging in turn.
You merge and turn, merge and turn. So many people don’t understand that. Merge and turn, best way to keep traffic flowing.
One good thing about getting into the closing lane is that you can avoid the slow vehicles in the through lane. I’ll never understand why the through lane is traveling so slowly . . .
It might help the idiots if the workman put the use both lanes and merge signs out but most only ever put lane closed in 300 yards ect out.
yes true, but even if the signs saying "Use BOTH lanes" and "Merge in turn" were out it would help a bit but chances are people will not look at them or if they do they will ignore or misunderstand them.
I don't think I've seen the sign in question but there are signs on a busy single carriageway where I live which, after traffic lights with two lanes merge into one, there are signs "MERGE IN TURN" but many inconsiderate drivers just ignore them causing others to slow down and putting them in danger.
@@1mgvideo maybe if they used 'merge at the turn' which is clearer language. No one says 'turn right in the junction'
Beautifully done. Could a learner on test just choose to queue in through lane though? (I guess this could prove more difficult if they then cause an obstruction)
The thing is if everybody used both lanes and merged in turn at the end then no-one would have a percieved advantage as both lanes would be of equal length.
Nope. If everyone moved over, the BMWs and Audis pushing in at the front wouldn't be stopping the flow.
Is this queue jumping on dual carriageways & motorways? No. Should you merge in turn for lane closures? Yes. I disagree it is controversial. You should always use the road space and changing lanes early causes more delays, more frustration for those already in that longer lane and longer waits. I completely agree with you. I notice the silver estate in front straddled the line to block it.
Merging in the turn at speed on motorways is high dangerous, which s why the Highway Code specifically says you should not do it... unless you drive a German car and are more important than everyone else. They probably have some important thing to do, like save a child's life.
Perfect example, very well done
Thank you! Cheers!
Why mirror, signal and thank the driver behind? It is equal priority.
courtesy and good manners cost nothing.
If you shouldn’t use that lane it would be shut at the start and not the point of the works
Yes good point.
Why is this such a big thing in the UK? Every video ive seen where people stand in stupidly long lines with an empty line next to it where from the UK. Usually videos of bad driving are either from the US or russia. Recently i saw a video where a van risked a crash just to stop somebody from being smart. And another video where someone was activley blocked from entering. Im not from the UK but whats the reason people dont do it, it would benefit everyone
in short... British people like a good queue.
In more depth... even when the queue starts British people feel rude to us both lanes as they might get ahead of the driver that was in front of them, this goes against British etiquette, better to just be kind and not try and upset the other driver.
This approach works in many aspect, which is why the UK roads are some of the safest in the world (with a bit of quite research apparently the UK is 11th place for fewest road collisions per 100,000 people, some of the countries above the UK are more really due to limited traffic, such as Maldives and Micronesia, but countries with more traffic above UK include Sweden, Japan, Iceland and Norway).
This approach however does cause problem when it comes to traffic, another common UK issue is the 'stalemate' at mini roundabouts, every driver is too kind to move as they want to give way to the other drivers, sometimes takes a few moments for someone to be assertive and just go.
@@UKDrivingTest I expect Sweden Iceland Norway have reduced speed limits or drive slower due to ice while Japan I expect has more city driving in tiny cars at low speed due to high population. So UK could potentially be the safest when factors like these are taken into account, especially if the most antisocial of BMW drivers are excluded.
I think it creates a dangerous situation when a stream of drivers doesn't allow a zip merge so there should be penalty points for whoever is not in front and not giving way
It's also because in our lessons we're taught to stay in the left hand lane as the right hand lane is only for overtaking. It's not our fault.
People are thick. I’ve always done the zip merge as logic clearly dictates any other way is insane!
That long queue is constantly being stopped by BMW and Audis flying down the empty lane and pushing it. Each time they do it, the queue has to stop. The real issue is queue jumpers
Are you queue jumping? Or are you flying past an already moving line of traffic which then has to slow to accept you at the point of the merge?
3. Using the lanes as intended to prevent traffic backing up, only when the other traffic is moving slowly / queuing already.
The whole problem could be reduced if ALL the roadworks included the sign that shows the two cars merging..
That's assuming people:
1. READ the sign
2. Cooperate with the sign
Those two steps are beyond most drivers abilities.
Let's get rid of all signs, and rely on everyone remembering the Highway Code? That code that has two rules for merging depending on the speed of the traffic. You are a genius.
@eljay5009 The US doesn;'t seem to have a problem with having zip merge signs. Yet we want people from over 200 countries that drive on our roads to remember the exact nuance of when you zip merge and when it is highly dangerous. OK. And let's not call it a zip merge (something you can imagine), let's use "Merge In The Turn" which is really obvious to everyone. Not 'at the turn'... 'in' it.
This section around Horsham is a nightmare. I always use the lane with the least traffic, and merge at the merge point. Society in general is full of sheep, waiting to be lead and desperate to copy the sheep in front. Free-thinkers aren’t usually welcome with them 😂…look at the idiot in the Silver Mercedes estate at the merge point…guardian of the highways, apparently.
Yes society in the UK is full of sheep, guess it is just the way the human brain works, it wants to do what others are doing under a false impression that is a safest or correct things, safety in numbers and all that.
Hopefully this video will inspire a few more to move away from the herd and use both lanes to queue.
You need to be a bit more empathetic to people who have never drive through somewhere before.
90% of drivers do not do it because it is f'ing rude to change lanes to overtake a queue. The slow moving left lane is because of queue jumpers. It is not zip merging to leave lane 1 to progress and then have to zip to rejoin.
It's not rude to correctly drive, you're clueless. The two lanes are two different queues, idiots in the left back up other roads because they're too thick to follow the highway code
Genuinely flabbergasted you can have watched this video and still be so wrong, amazed you can be that thick and still access the Internet
I'm assuming that by "f'ing rude" you mean, the right thing to do. If the lane you are in is congested then move into a less congested lane (when safe to do so) to ease the congestion. The main thing that causes the traffic is the people in the congested lane not leaving enough space between them and the vehicle in front for a car to fit into smoothly and without much adjustment of speed. If you're closing the gap and not letting a car fit in front of you then you are assisting in building up the traffic. The 90% of drivers that don't use the lanes correctly are the reason it's so backed up and not flowing properly. If you think about it logically, the lanes are for overtaking. Getting angry at people merging in turn properly like this is exactly the same as getting angry at someone overtaking you on the motorway and I bet you don't get angry everytime someone overtakes you on a motorway!!
@@mattwoodford1820 How to tell me you are a white BMW driver with a shitty beard...
The only time that happened in the video was with a learner who has never encountered it before, in every other example they merged from the right lane as you should.