How Do You Handle Slow Mergers?

[DonavonP]

Minnesotans are not able to comprehend merging. I've watched this phenomena for 70 years. Ole's gonna drive that 1945 REO school bus converted to a vegetable stand the same way his old man drove it. And don't bother given him the finger, he already knows what his IQ is.

[slickest1]

As a commercial driver for the last 40 years I can't recall using the air horn very many times. Most time it just scares someone into doing something stupid. I found driving defensively and paying attention to the traffic ahead and beside was the key to no major accidents.
If a person is an idiot driver honking a loud horn at him will have little or no good effect.

[UFO Pilot]

When the driver trying to merge is on his/her cell phone and you can't slow down or change lanes due to traffic, what would you suggest doing to make the drive aware of your presence? I try to drive defensively at all times but sometimes the idiots prevent me from doing so.

[ahicks]

It IS a good idea to check your horns occasionally. That said, the only time we have an issue is when we have traffic on our left, making it impossible to give this "merger" the kind of room they're expecting. At that point they get the driving lesson entitled "why you shouldn't mess with vehicles bigger than you are".

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

If they "pace" me and don't appear to be paying attention, I tap the airhorn to "wake" them. I usually receive a 1 finger salute but I don't care. They need to speed up or slow down, it is their job to merge, not mine.

That is what I don't understand; why they don't speed up or slow down. It has always been my philosophy to match traffic speed while I am still in the merging lane unless conditions dictate otherwise. And if possible, I will always move left to provide a comfortable experience for those merging. But some seem to fixate on holding their ground or forcing you to slow or just not giving a damn.

[SkiSmuggs]

Originally Posted by slickest1

As a commercial driver for the last 40 years I can't recall using the air horn very many times. Most time it just scares someone into doing something stupid. I found driving defensively and paying attention to the traffic ahead and beside was the key to no major accidents.
If a person is an idiot driver honking a loud horn at him will have little or no good effect.

Best answer yet!

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

If they "pace" me and don't appear to be paying attention, I tap the airhorn to "wake" them. I usually receive a 1 finger salute but I don't care. They need to speed up or slow down, it is their job to merge, not mine.

I don't know about the reaction from slow mergers when I tap the airhorn, because they're pacing me next to the passenger door. If I don't see them start to hold back or speed up, the tap becomes a blare/ AKA a warning shot that I can't move over to accommodate them.

If traffic is such that changing lanes or slowing quickly is a challenge, I flip on the Brights in addition to using the horn. At the same time, I've taken the coach off CC, and told DW to hold on.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

Best answer yet!

If somebody hasn't done something very often, wouldn't their assumptions be more imagined than experienced?

[baraff]

This will probably offend someone, but so be it. I watch for minivans. If I see a minivan on the entrance ramp, I figure there's about a 70% chance the driver is screaming at the kids or playing with their phone and not paying attention.
It's happened too many times to be a coincidence.
I drive defensively, but I'm also not afraid to let people know they're idiots when the situation calls for it.

[Ramets]

Whenever there's 3 lanes I always run in the center going through cities. Out on the Interstates I'm always amazed at the boneheaded moves mergers will make. I'll be watching them like a hawk expecting the unexpected, and that's usually what I get.

[pcurt23]

Originally Posted by budwilson

Why is that bad? The posted sign is the maximum speed nothing says you have to go that fast. Sometimes there is a minimum speed posted and you have go faster than that

X2 My toad is speed limited to 65.
On an uncongested level highway I set the cruise at 65 and marvel at the RVs who zip by going somewhere as fast as they can. In city traffic I slow down to make room for the yongybongybos (or knuckleheads).

[Minnesota51]

I suspect people "pace" us because they are scared of merging in heavy traffic and they are afraid to either speed up or slow down. They keep scanning for a "slot" to open.

Or they are waiting for "someone to let them in". They just don't know what to do if there is not space for them.

Personally, I cheer for people who merge well and hit the accelerator smartly to merge in front of me **when there is room** and that is their best choice. A good smooth choice. I like it.

It's always a tough call when the merger is indecisive. You have only a second or so to decide if he's made a good choice or a poor choice that is not going to work, and whether you can do anything to keep him from perhaps killing himself and his children.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

If they're trying to speed up to get in front of me, but are running out of merge lane, then I will slow down to let them in. If they are just running along the same speed as me I will hold my speed. When I see they are running out of lane, I use the air horns to warn them that it would not be smart to try to force my hand!

BTW- I've seen them run off the road to the right when I set down on those horns!

I should have added that if I see vehicles ahead trying to merge, AND if I can move one lane to the left, I do so! Just common courtesy!

[Minnesota51]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I should have added that if I see vehicles ahead trying to merge, AND if I can move one lane to the left, I do so! Just common courtesy!

Yes, seeing someone run off the road is a bad thing, even if it was their own fault. Deaths happen that way.