Motorway on-ramps are designed to help drivers join fast-moving traffic smoothly and safely — but too often motorists are doing the opposite, experts say.
The AA says many drivers slow down or even stop to merge, turning what should be a seamless process into a recipe for congestion and potential crashes.
As holiday season traffic starts to build, AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said motorists should use the entire length of the on-ramp to match the speed of the traffic on the motorway and find a safe gap.
"Don’t slow down or stop on an on-ramp as you indicate right, you become a hazard to cars behind you and can create traffic build-up," he told 1News.
"Remember, vehicles on the motorway have right of way. You must find a safe gap – do not force your way in."
Thomsen said drivers should signal right for at least three seconds and check their blindspots before entering the motorway.
"It’s important to also keep an eye out for any vehicles in far lanes that could be changing lanes to the left into your path. If a gap doesn’t appear immediately, adjust your speed slightly – without stopping – so you reach the merge point when a gap becomes available."
Some on-ramps had variations such as ramp signals on Auckland's motorways or double lanes, Thomsen added.
"This is still a red light, and drivers must treat it as such. Many on-ramps are also double laned that merge into one prior to entering the motorway. In this case, merge like a zip and always indicate, check your mirrors and blind spots."
NZTA says motorway on-ramps should be treated in a similar way to merge lanes.
"Using all the merge lane to merge gives you time to match the speed of people on the main road and find a safe gap to merge like a zip," a post on NZTA's Facebook page says.
"Merge lanes taper to naturally guide you into the flow of traffic. When you're merging, always merge at the end of the merge lane."
Doing so will get motorists smoothly to the speed of motorway traffic and provides a "predictable point" to enter the road so other drivers can make room for you, NZTA added.
Failing to obey motorway on-ramp rules can result in penalties, an NZTA spokesperson told 1News.
Ignoring ramp signals is treated the same as running a red light and comes with a $150 fine. Drivers must also enter the motorway at a safe speed and without endangering others. Breaching this will also result in an $150 fine.
Behaviour in serious cases could see a motorist landed with a careless driving charge, or "in extreme cases", a reckless or dangerous driving charge.
"Neither of these are infringement offences, so a person would be charged and would need to attend court," the spokesperson said.
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