Sometimes on a road, 2 lanes will merge into one lane.
The lanes merge where the broken lane lines stop. It’s important to make sure that all vehicles from both lanes have plenty of space to merge safely.
Merge like a zip
The best way to merge is like a zip – where a vehicle from the left lane goes and then a vehicle from the right lane goes, and so on.
As you merge, let one vehicle from the other lane go first, and then go.
Merging
Leaving a merge lane after turning right at an intersection
Some roads have a merge lane to help vehicles that have turned onto the road join the traffic flow.
If you're in a merge lane at an intersection:
- show you want to merge by signalling for at least 3 seconds
- move into a safe gap in the traffic
- adjust your speed and following distance.
Merge lane
Using on-ramps and off-ramps when entering and leaving a motorway
Motorway on-ramps are similar to merge lanes. When getting on the motorway:
- change your speed to match the speed of the motorway traffic
- use the whole length of the on-ramp to adjust your speed – don’t change speed suddenly just as you enter the motorway
- signal right for at least 3 seconds
- move into a safe gap in the traffic
- don’t enter the motorway at a sharp angle
- adjust your speed and following distance.
Motorway on-ramp
When getting off the motorway:
- watch for exit signs
- signal left for at least 3 seconds
- move into the left-hand lane as soon as possible
- keep up with the traffic flow until you're on the off-ramp
- don’t leave the motorway at a sharp angle
- adjust your speed.
Motorway off-ramp
