Why does merging traffic expect us to slow down & let them in

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Francesca

You do realize that the above...suggestion? confession?...is not only completely insane, it's also illegal...right????

Works though.


RE the topic: I move over to allow the "MERGE" lane to enter anytime I can, if I can't, I don't. It's their problem. I don't want to be a horse's posterior, but unless I see some signage or written law that says I must stop/slow down to let them in they are on their own. I appreciate it when someone moves over to let me in if I am trying to merge, but I don't hold it against them if they don't.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by JayGee

Works though.

Why stop there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtAMc4i8OA

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by MDJ

OK but one last thought on merging traffic. For the arrogant Beemer type driver who refuses to let you merge back into the right lane try this: Turn on your signal so they know your intentions. If they ignore you, move over a couple of feet to the right. If they continue to ignore you move another foot or so to the right. They'll scatter cockroaches when the lights are flipped on. Driving next to a mass such as a coach is as daunting and intimidating as it gets when that mass is headed your way. I consider myself a courteous driver and will always be a good samaritan on the road. I don't even get mad when someone does something stupid, but I have no patience for rudeness on the road. A little calculated and controlled intimidation always seems to work for me when some sob isn't willing to give up a little space on the off-ramp.

Originally Posted by melvonnar

If you drive the interstates as much as I have; this is the action that you must take unless you want to play tag with the 50,000 LB 18 wheeler thats right beside you.

You do realize that if you tried that with me, I will sit there and let you hit me, then you would be completely to blame and will pay for me the rest of my life, correct? With some others, I am sure you prolly wouldnt survive long enough for the police to arrive...

I was going through Chicago once when they were working on the Dan Ryan. We were 3 lanes plus 2 merging lanes all trying to stuff ourselves into one lane around midnight. Having already been in traffic for 3-4 hours tempers were high. One such guy was in a work van with his buddy. They snaked and bullied thier way into and up the line until they got to me. Now, I was in a 45' Bugdet rental truck and wasnt going to move even if I had wanted too. They beeped and honked and cursed and threatened until finally they just tried to push thier way in, with the results you would image there would be when two vehicles tried to occupy the same space at the same time. Now, while it wasnt that bad and both vehicles could still move, one of the guys decided it was time to 'teach me a lesson'. Didnt work out like he planed, so we just sat there unable to move and making traffic worse. Cops showed up after a while, took notes, and sent us on our ways. Next day, the guys boss calls and want to know what happened. I explained and he begged me not to sue and he would take care of the damages to my truck. i had to tel him that Budget owned the truck and I was only renting it. It cost me all of $9 for an accident wiaver and that Budget would be calling him I suppose. So, for being a jerk, 2 vehicles were damaged, a nose was busted, people were delayed by hours, 2 guys got fired, one got community service (to go with the nose), and a small business got sued. All because someone couldnt merge correctly..

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Francesca

Why stop there?

Because that is more than "a little", which is what was mentioned in the first post.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by JayGee

Because that is more than "a little", which is what was mentioned in the first post.

The trouble is, once the first bull starts pawing the ground, what makes him think that the second bull isn't going to get all rarin'....?

And as shown in the Real, True Documentary I referred you to, the biggest bull ain't always the winner!

[reubenray]

I try to gauge my speed with their speed if I can see them early enough. There are some ramps that you cannot see what is coming on until it is to late. In those cases they will just have to wait.

[JohnBoyToo]

This thread still going ?!?!

WOW - let's start again

[mrblanche]

When my wife worked in the Safety Department of a large trucking company, this was the most common subject about which people called the 800 number on the back of the trailer. They had a script for it:

"Thank you for calling ****** *************. We appreciate your concern for the safety of the motoring public and the behavior of our drivers. However, we discourage our drivers from changing lanes to allow merging traffic onto the highway, since our records show every lane change increases the possibility of an accident. In fact, in some states such a lane change is illegal. We do encourage our drivers to adjust their speed in order to make merging safer, however, by law in every state, the vehicle merging onto the freeway is required to yield the right of way, if necessary. Thank you and have a safe day."

[CD]

About 20/30 years ago I heard/read from what I thought was a good source that the most or at least one of the most dangerous maneuvers you can make while driving is changing lanes. I often think of that when considering changing lanes. Some times I do and some times I don't.

[DutchStar38]

I stay in the far right lane because I have the cruise control on a comfotable speed which is normally slower than the other cars speeding by. However, If a BIG rig is coming up the ramp then I will gladly move over if possible or slow to allow the BIG rig free movement on because they are usually running through gears like crazy in order to build speed. As for anything else I hold lane and speed. I have had cars drive until they run off into the grass rather than accelerate to pass ahead or slow and pass behind me even when there is no other vehicle behind me in sight. I keep a digital camera at the ready for either me or my DW. I have seen plenty of middle fingers as they finally pass me.

[Route 666]

Originally Posted by mrblanche

"Thank you for calling ****** *************. We appreciate your concern for the safety of the motoring public and the behavior of our drivers. However, we discourage our drivers from changing lanes to allow merging traffic onto the highway, since our records show every lane change increases the possibility of an accident. In fact, in some states such a lane change is illegal. We do encourage our drivers to adjust their speed in order to make merging safer, however, by law in every state, the vehicle merging onto the freeway is required to yield the right of way, if necessary. Thank you and have a safe day."

Perfect!!

[MRBB]

Originally Posted by DutchStar38

I stay in the far right lane because I have the cruise control on a comfotable speed which is normally slower than the other cars speeding by. However, If a BIG rig is coming up the ramp then I will gladly move over if possible or slow to allow the BIG rig free movement on because they are usually running through gears like crazy in order to build speed. As for anything else I hold lane and speed. I have had cars drive until they run off into the grass rather than accelerate to pass ahead or slow and pass behind me even when there is no other vehicle behind me in sight. I keep a digital camera at the ready for either me or my DW. I have seen plenty of middle fingers as they finally pass me.

2X and can't agree with you more.

By the way, I'll be at Gators Today (Sun) around noon on my Harley going for a great ride. Join us if you can.

[erkme73]

I would suggest to all MH drivers - whether you make an effort to get out of the way, or stay the course - get yourself some cheap insurance, in the form of a mobile video recorder. They can be found on eBay (and other online sites) for <$100, and record anytime there is movement. They're small (i.e. deck of playing cards), and require only 12V power.

I purchased several for all my vehicles. They record in full HD (1920x1080 @ 30FPS), include GPS data (i.e. location, heading, speed), and some even include accelerometers and shock sensors which lock the video preceding, during, and after any impact.

Having one for the dash, and one pointing out a DS & PS window will provide solid evidence in the event a collision becomes an episode of 'he-said vs. she-said'.

Further, if you do get one that stamps the video with GPS speed, it's a great way to verify your actual speed, should you be accused of excessive speed...

[Midniteoyl]

Originally Posted by mrblanche

When my wife worked in the Safety Department of a large trucking company, this was the most common subject about which people called the 800 number on the back of the trailer. They had a script for it:

"Thank you for calling ****** *************. We appreciate your concern for the safety of the motoring public and the behavior of our drivers. However, we discourage our drivers from changing lanes to allow merging traffic onto the highway, since our records show every lane change increases the possibility of an accident. In fact, in some states such a lane change is illegal. We do encourage our drivers to adjust their speed in order to make merging safer, however, by law in every state, the vehicle merging onto the freeway is required to yield the right of way, if necessary. Thank you and have a safe day."

I think we already disproved the 'law in every state' thing. Several say BOTH are responsible..