There has been several comments in the press recently about accidents on the Newbury stretch of the A339.
From my observations there also appear to be a lot of accidents with vehicles entering and leaving the Newbury section of the A34. There was another one there last night (Friday 17th) on the northbound carriageway with its intersection with the A4.
Although I see regular incidents there, some major, some minor, these incidents never seem to get reported. Although I regard myself as an experienced driver, I often have problems joining safely with 2 lorries side by side on the dual carriageway. Do I slow down and let them pass or put my foot down and try to get on in front of them? If I slow down and let them pass and its a busy period, I then find it difficult to gain enough speed to join in safely with fast moving traffic.
Does anyone else experience problems on these junctions?
There has been several comments in the press recently about accidents on the Newbury stretch of the A339.
From my observations there also appear to be a lot of accidents with vehicles entering and leaving the Newbury section of the A34. There was another one there last night (Friday 17th) on the northbound carriageway with its intersection with the A4.
Although I see regular incidents there, some major, some minor, these incidents never seem to get reported. Although I regard myself as an experienced driver, I often have problems joining safely with 2 lorries side by side on the dual carriageway. Do I slow down and let them pass or put my foot down and try to get on in front of them? If I slow down and let them pass and its a busy period, I then find it difficult to gain enough speed to join in safely with fast moving traffic. Does anyone else experience problems on these junctions?
Judging by the number of emergency vehicles (including the special incident unit), it did look quite serious yesterday evening. It brought northbound traffic to a standstill for about an hour.
Both the Speen and the Andover Road slip roads are extremely dangerous if you are not familiar with them. I would be interested to see some statistics.
There has been several comments in the press recently about accidents on the Newbury stretch of the A339.
From my observations there also appear to be a lot of accidents with vehicles entering and leaving the Newbury section of the A34. There was another one there last night (Friday 17th) on the northbound carriageway with its intersection with the A4.
Could this be a particular case of what appears to be an increasing habit - drivers joining a motorway, dual carriageway or other major road by means of a slip road who seem to think that they have the right of way?
Despite that fact that there is priority from the right at junctions on Britain's roads, despite the fact that a major road obviously has priority over anything joining it, despite the fact that the white lines delineating the major road from the slip road indicate a need to give way, I have on a number of occasions, when I have been on the inside lane of a major road, just avoided an accident from someone tearing up the slip road alongside me and obviously expecting me to move over.
Why should I? I have the priority and there may be other traffic in the other lanes alongside me. Joining via a slip road is no different from joining at a conventional road junction.
The main culprits, as you might expect, are white-van men, boy racers and some HGV drivers.
I haven't read the Highway Code lately, so I don't know if there is a recommendation against this behaviour, but if there isn't there ought to be.
Why should I? I have the priority and there may be other traffic in the other lanes alongside me. Joining via a slip road is no different from joining at a conventional road junction.
Quite right. Why should you exercise any manners?
The first time I drove on the motorway with my dad, he taught me to give way where possible to those entering on a junction.
The first time I drove on the motorway with my dad, he taught me to give way where possible to those entering on a junction.
Seems to me that those entering via a slip road don't exercise any manners. You comment of "give way where possible" is valid but where its not possible, a lot of drivers still expect it.
Seems to me that those entering via a slip road don't exercise any manners. You comment of "give way where possible" is valid but where its not possible, a lot of drivers still expect it.
I can't speak for most drivers. Obviously this agressive attitude and lack of concern for road safety is simmering away out there. On the very rare occasion I've experienced this I'd assumed it was lack of attention. Now I know it's petty mindedness and am indebted to you both for exposing it. Next time you approach the Speen or Wash Common entrances to the A34 you should really go for it as I reckon you might be able to wipe out a family.
Does anyone else experience problems on these junctions?
I use the A34 between the Wash Common and Speen junctions in both directions every weekday. With the ridiculous junction design sometimes your only options are to join the carriageway and make the approaching traffic slow down or stop at the end of the slip road until a gap appears. I have sometimes made the wrong decisions and have almost been wiped out completely.
I can't speak for most drivers. Obviously this agressive attitude and lack of concern for road safety is simmering away out there. On the very rare occasion I've experienced this I'd assumed it was lack of attention. Now I know it's petty mindedness and am indebted to you both for exposing it. Next time you approach the Speen or Wash Common entrances to the A34 you should really go for it as I reckon you might be able to wipe out a family.
I'm not sure what you mean here as I never enter from a slip road without giving way. If you imply that I would, you have completely misunderstood my post. I would also give way to others that don't provided it is safe and there is some space. Maybe you drive without thought or attention. Many others don't.
However this does not detract from the fact that IMHO the Speen and Andover Road intersections with the A34 are dangerous.
I agree especially Wash Common Southbound where you are going uphill. I always go slowly around the corner and either crawl or accelerate quickly to fit in with the traffic conditions.
When I have followed someone up the slip road they have occasionally dithered and brought the slip roads to a halt making it extremely dangerous.
Even coming off the A£$ where you want to slow before the junction can be nerve racking!
I am surprised that they built this type of junction as late as 1998/9.
Could this be a particular case of what appears to be an increasing habit - drivers joining a motorway, dual carriageway or other major road by means of a slip road who seem to think that they have the right of way?
Quite often, when I use the Speen junction, I've found two huge articulated lorries occupying both lanes as one slowly tries to overtake the other coming up the hill with more lorries queuing behind the slowest one in the left hand lane. If they're already at the point at which the slip road starts and travelling at 50-60 mph it would be suicidal to attempt to keep moving.
Does anyone know if there was any logic at all behind the design of the entry and exit lanes on these junctions or was it purely a matter of saving money?
Does anyone know if there was any logic at all behind the design of the entry and exit lanes on these junctions or was it purely a matter of saving money?
I believe it was always in the design but the cost of the bypass spiralled out of all proportion due to the pesky protesters so finances must have been tight, there might have been an attempt at some appeasement by taking as little land as possible. Who knows. I think somewhere I have the original designs, if I have, i'll stick them up.
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