Cars joining a motorway - who has right of way?

Who has right of way when cars enter a motorway/dual carriageway? I usually move to the centre lane to accommodate cars entering from my left but where there is no opportunity to do this am I obliged to give way to cars joining the inside across broken lines?

I am happy to give way to avoid an accident but many joining the inside carriageway seem to simply show a right indicator light and drive onto the carriageway without any consideration for those doing a higher speed who are already on the carriageway.

Asked on 21 December 2021 by Brian Parker

Answered by Sarah Tooze
The traffic already on the motorway has priority. The driver joining the motorway should make sure their car matches the speed of the motorway traffic so they can join the left-hand lane safely. (See rule 259 of the Highway Code.)
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