Motorway on‑ramps are meant to let drivers join fast‑moving traffic smoothly, yet many motorists are slowing down or stopping, creating congestion and increasing crash risk.
What drivers are doing wrong
The AA reports that many drivers reduce speed or halt on the ramp instead of using its full length to match motorway flow. This behaviour turns a designed‑for‑seamless merge into a bottleneck.
Guidance from road safety experts
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told 1News that motorists should use the entire on‑ramp, signal right for at least three seconds, and check blind spots before merging. He emphasized that vehicles on the motorway have right‑of‑way and that drivers must find a safe gap without forcing their way in.
Thomsen added that drivers should watch for far‑lane vehicles that may shift left, and if a gap is not immediately available, they should adjust speed slightly—without stopping—to reach the merge point when a gap appears.
Some ramps feature variations such as red‑light signals on Auckland’s motorways or double‑lane configurations that merge into a single lane. “This is still a red light, and drivers must treat it as such,” Thomsen said, urging drivers to “merge like a zip” while indicating and checking mirrors and blind spots.
NZTA’s perspective
NZTA advises that on‑ramps be treated like merge lanes. A post on its Facebook page explains that using the whole merge lane helps drivers match the speed of main‑road traffic and find a safe gap. The tapering design of merge lanes provides a predictable entry point for other motorists.
Failure to obey on‑ramp rules can lead to penalties. Ignoring ramp signals is treated like running a red light, carrying a $150 fine. Entering the motorway at an unsafe speed also incurs a $150 fine. Serious breaches could result in careless driving charges, or in “extreme cases,” reckless or dangerous driving charges, which are non‑infringement offences requiring court attendance.
Potential future developments
If drivers adopt the recommended practices, traffic flow during the holiday season could improve, with fewer stop‑and‑go conditions and lower crash risk. Conversely, continued non‑compliance may prompt stricter enforcement, such as increased camera monitoring of ramp signals or higher penalty amounts.
Authorities might also consider public education campaigns or clearer ramp signage to reinforce the “merge like a zip” technique, especially on double‑lane ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are drivers doing incorrectly on motorway on‑ramps?
Many drivers are slowing down or stopping on the ramp instead of using its full length to match the speed of traffic on the motorway.
What does the AA advise drivers to do when merging onto a motorway?
The AA advises drivers to use the entire ramp, signal right for at least three seconds, check blind spots, and adjust speed without stopping to find a safe gap, remembering that motorway traffic has right‑of‑way.
What penalties can drivers face for ignoring on‑ramp signals?
Ignoring ramp signals is treated like running a red light and carries a $150 fine. Entering the motorway at an unsafe speed also incurs a $150 fine, and serious breaches could lead to careless, reckless, or dangerous driving charges, which require court attendance.
How will your merging habits affect road safety this holiday season?
