What's wrong with CARS and not understanding right of way on an onramp?

[redcolorado]

I use to slow down and let others merge in front of me, then I got a motor home. First trip out two elderly ladies in a car hit the on ramp beside me. I slowed down to let them in, they slowed down, I slowed down, they slowed down and ran into the ditch. Fortunately no was was hurt. Guess who was at fault ME. Failure to maintain speed and position on the roadway. I do not slow down or speed up (joke) I maintain speed and position. I will move over a lane to the left IF I can do so safely.

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by ramblinboy

As I understand it, as mergers appear we are required by law to slow down or move over to let them in.

Not in any state I'm familiar with. If we do so, it's a courtesy only. Not a legal requirement.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Originally Posted by redcolorado

I use to slow down and let others merge in front of me, then I got a motor home. First trip out two elderly ladies in a car hit the on ramp beside me. I slowed down to let them in, they slowed down, I slowed down, they slowed down and ran into the ditch. Fortunately no was was hurt. Guess who was at fault ME. Failure to maintain speed and position on the roadway. I do not slow down or speed up (joke) I maintain speed and position. I will move over a lane to the left IF I can do so safely.

My take on this issue at this post. The entire thread is useful to this discussion.

[MRUSA14]

Originally Posted by redcolorado

I use to slow down and let others merge in front of me, then I got a motor home. First trip out two elderly ladies in a car hit the on ramp beside me. I slowed down to let them in, they slowed down, I slowed down, they slowed down and ran into the ditch. Fortunately no was was hurt. Guess who was at fault ME. Failure to maintain speed and position on the roadway. I do not slow down or speed up (joke) I maintain speed and position. I will move over a lane to the left IF I can do so safely.

Exactly correct. I was taught this in driver education in high school over 55 years ago and it hasn’t changed. The driver in the travel lane is to maintain his speed, so that the merging driver can adjust theirs. If both drivers are changing their speeds, how can either driver know what to expect from the other? Just because there are some idiots who don’t understand this, does not mean that it is not the correct way to handle the situation.

As for moving to the left, I do it out of courtesy when it is safe to do so, but often it is impossible.

[BirchyBoy]

Originally Posted by gcamper

I alway try to be considerate of other drivers and in heavy traffic I try to move left 1 lane or slow down to let them in if I can do so safely. My coach is worth more than most of the cars on the road. Why take a chance on butt head running into the side of me.

I do the same. Either I’m ticking people off behind me or beside me. I do my drive and let them do theirs.

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by Kennzz05

Same issue with driving a semi...even if you have the room to move over, they typically hem you in by running along side you in your blindspots so you can't get back in your lane...that's why you see so many semis in the middle Lane going thru major cities. Although it pisses people off your impeding the middle Lane it lessens the interaction with the numerous morons that don't know the meaning of a yield sign

I do that delivering campers (in my 2nd job) and may absolutely No apologys for it what so ever.
If people want to pass me there is lane to the left of me,
If people want to run slower then me there is a lane to the right of me.
I am out on the highway to play keep away from other drivers.

I completely agree with the OP about people not being courteous at on ramps and am completely against

ROUNDABOUTS here in the US because of the masses driving habits. .

[GoneToTheDog]

We just returned home today.....from a trip from Arizona to Illinois and back. I'm just totally amazed at the number of idiots that have absolutely no clue how to merge onto a 4 lane highway with heavy traffic.
Getting up to speed and actually 'merge' seems to be beyond their comprehension. It is really frustrating.

[JimmyB2]

The merging lane problem is real, but how about when you need to get to the left to exit?

Put your directional on and I guess that mean that everyone on your left must speed up!!!!

[Bob_C]

And 80% of the time, it'll be a young adult female....at least around these parts....speak'n bout roundabouts, I've got one 2 blocks away and a high school about a mile away.....when school lets out, that roundabout becomes a test track for every Honda Civic in the area....

[Rickho]

Just got home to Maryland a few hours ago. Came back up from Florida. Lost count on how many times I was deliberately cut off. Both near on ramps and by those who can’t stand to be behind larger vehicles. They zip up and around and make a mad dash in front of me then hit the breaks to slow down more to the posted speed. People just don’t realize you can’t stop your rigs on a dime. I do my utmost to stay clear but it never fails. Color in my knuckles are just starting to get their color back. Had a good Hand full of drivers raising their hand showing me their IQ along the way. Lol
I’m in the far right because I drive to survive. Running at break neck speeds will end up killing yourself or others. I’ve come to realize no matter what you do there are those who have little respect for ours.

[F4Gary]

I use an equal parts strategy of defensive driving, common courtesy, and "I'm gonna teach this idiot a lesson!"

[sandpsycho]

Come to the Peoples Socialist Republic of Commifornia a.k.a. Taxifornia, a.k.a. Crowdedfornia. The land where cars turning left think they have the right of way. Where a turn signal lets drivers n that lane know to speed up to keep you from getting over. We also now let criminals that come here illegally get drivers licenses and vote. Before the Democrats changed that they just drove illegal and voted. To be fair there are plenty of home grown terrible drivers.

Just driving a car or pickup you will, even on a short drive to a store, have to avoid at a minimum of 2 collisions. Not to worry you will have time to calm down while you wait 2 light cycles to get through an intersection. Merging here takes place at 5 m.p.h. or less as traffic doesn't usually move anywhere near the speed limit. A 7 mile drive can easily take 40 minutes sometimes more.

This is 50 plus miles from LA out in Riverside county. I had to go 18 miles today at 3pm and it took over and hour. I hate to leave the house and count the days til the wife retires and we move out of this liberal nightmare.

[bowhunter72]

Originally Posted by V3600

Happens all the time. I don't even bother getting out their way unless a crash is imminent. Fun to watch these inept drivers trying to function.

The problem is every state's DMV. There is zero training to get a driver's license and zero continuing training. Getting a license is far too easy. Many of these people only know how to point a car and step on the gas or brake. They no nothing about the rules of the road or how to use proper judgment. My comments come from 30 years as an LEO.

And I'll lump we RV drivers into the mix. Why do I need a CDL to drive motorhomes for my employer when a buyer can come in to the store, plop down the funds, and drive away in a 45 footer with no previous experience? Doesn't make any sense to me.

What's needed is what happens in the airplane world. I had to have professional training for a license, not mom and pop teaching me, and recurrency training with an instructor every two years.

Actually many states, including Oregon, require drivers education course before obtaining your license if you are under 18.

[Kennzz05]

Originally Posted by theroc

Yes, being a commercial driver for over 30-years, I understand what you're saying. Even though the laws are written so it's understood that the vehicle entering from an on-ramp must yield, I NEVER intentionally force an inconsiderate driver on an on-ramp to stop, slow down, or run them off the road when traveling in the right lane with a truck, bus, or in my motorhome. If I can't move over one lane, I will attempt to adjust my speed to allow the inconsiderate driver to merge.

Even when driving commercial vehicles, I always tried to stay in the right lane as much as possible. Yes, it's aggravating to have to adjust speed to let a car merge but I'm not one to start playing games or bullying by keeping my speed consistent to prevent a car from merging. As most of us know, you learn through the years to focus your sight as far down the road as possible, to get the biggest picture of things happening as you can, and to make adjustments constantly when in heavy traffic. This is just basic defensive driving.

I actually get a little irritated to see some semis staying in the second and third lanes and never did that myself when I drove commercially ...or now when driving the motorhome. I'm constantly making adjustments, changing lanes when I have to and when possible, and changing speeds but basically staying in the right lane. Yes, it's not as relaxing as just sitting at one speed and in one lane but I have plenty of time to do that once out of the urban pr suburban environment.

I respectfully disagree, slowing to allow others to merge in many situations transfers the danger from you and the merging vehicle to now everyone behind you who if not paying attention can set off a chain reaction of rear end collisions. Yes if I have room and if traffic is light I'll move over( in the semi)
If not the person who is yielding is either slowing down speeding up or driving on the shoulder
And I'll bet you this, after they drive on the shoulder once or twice they learn how to merge.