How do you join a motorway?

• A. Via a slip road
• B. Across a pedestrian crossing
• C. From a lay-by on the opposite side
• D. From a cycle path

Answer: (A)

Joining a motorway is done via a slip road—the dedicated ramp with its own acceleration lane that lets you build up speed and merge smoothly into the traffic. The slip road is designed specifically for entering the motorway, so you use it to reach the motorway speed and find a safe gap in the flow of vehicles before joining the left-hand lanes. While on the slip road you should accelerate to match traffic, check mirrors and blind spots, and signal your intention to merge. Once you can do so safely, merge into the left lane and continue with normal motorway driving.

Pedestrian crossings or cycle paths aren’t designed for motor traffic and aren’t places you would enter a motorway from. A lay-by on the opposite side isn’t a proper entry point either, since it would require crossing the carriageway and isn’t the designed route for joining the motorway.