People don't know how to merge onto the highway
- Thread starter grampi
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Be thankful they are still moving. The other day I was behind a car doing about 45 mph towards the end of an on-ramp when they suddenly STOPPED at the entrance to the highway with their blinker on.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
Wouldn't it be better if they merged in while going 5 MPH above the speed limit?
That way I don't have to touch the brakes to let them in.
That way I don't have to touch the brakes to let them in.
Originally Posted by das_peikko
Wouldn't it be better if they merged in while going 5 MPH above the speed limit?
That way I don't have to touch the brakes to let them in?
Yes, it's a lot easier. Most people don't seem to have a clue how to merge though. I was just on an onramp earlier today and I noticed my speed was only 35. Stuck behind a bunch of cars. As soon as the merge started, I floored it and moved over two lanes. Passed a guy while doing 55 in the left lane. No one else was in the left two lanes. It's a lot easier to get up to speed and tap the brakes to tuck in behind someone than to try and speed up to get in front of someone. That maneuver would require something called driving though.
Most drivers are clueless though.
Wouldn't it be better if they merged in while going 5 MPH above the speed limit?
That way I don't have to touch the brakes to let them in?
Yes, it's a lot easier. Most people don't seem to have a clue how to merge though. I was just on an onramp earlier today and I noticed my speed was only 35. Stuck behind a bunch of cars. As soon as the merge started, I floored it and moved over two lanes. Passed a guy while doing 55 in the left lane. No one else was in the left two lanes. It's a lot easier to get up to speed and tap the brakes to tuck in behind someone than to try and speed up to get in front of someone. That maneuver would require something called driving though.
Most drivers are clueless though.
I find that I have a lot more options the faster I'm moving while merging.
I swear people should be required to take a high performance driving course once every 5 years to maintain their license.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2023
The opposite is also true. I've had to force my way into traffic, on the rare occasion when there is no gap. I've sped up to pace the speed of traffic and find a spot to merge in, but there is no spot for me. When I slowly move into the lane I can see the guy, who is now behind me, backing off dramatically, as if I cut him off. What the heck do you call that move!?
At best, he was being a jerk, but attentive; at worst, he really had no idea that he needed to back off and let me in. Look, guy, I don't have a choice in this matter and I don't plan on driving at-speed in the break-down lane!
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
Be thankful they are still moving. The other day I was behind a car doing about 45 mph towards the end of an on-ramp when they suddenly STOPPED at the entrance to the highway with their blinker on.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
Agree. It's never happened to me, but I always keep one eye on the person in front of me while merging, and the other on how to get into traffic.
Making rights on red, I don't start moving forward until I see that the guy in front of me has 100% gone. Even then, I keep my head on a swivel, just in case they lock it up last minute, just as I feel like I'm good to go accelerate.
About a decade ago, my friend was found to be 100% at-fault when she rear-ended a van on an on-ramp. She admittedly had her head turned, looking at traffic to see how she could merge in....and didn't catch that the lady in front of the van locked it up. I still don't understand how the lady wasn't found to be at least partially at fault.
At best, he was being a jerk, but attentive; at worst, he really had no idea that he needed to back off and let me in. Look, guy, I don't have a choice in this matter and I don't plan on driving at-speed in the break-down lane!
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
Be thankful they are still moving. The other day I was behind a car doing about 45 mph towards the end of an on-ramp when they suddenly STOPPED at the entrance to the highway with their blinker on.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
Agree. It's never happened to me, but I always keep one eye on the person in front of me while merging, and the other on how to get into traffic.
Making rights on red, I don't start moving forward until I see that the guy in front of me has 100% gone. Even then, I keep my head on a swivel, just in case they lock it up last minute, just as I feel like I'm good to go accelerate.
About a decade ago, my friend was found to be 100% at-fault when she rear-ended a van on an on-ramp. She admittedly had her head turned, looking at traffic to see how she could merge in....and didn't catch that the lady in front of the van locked it up. I still don't understand how the lady wasn't found to be at least partially at fault.
Originally Posted by SubieRubyRoo
The only way to truly be a "defensive" driver is to never trust other drivers. For anything. That means you controlling the space around your car like you are guarding the winning lotto ticket- if you want space around you, YOU must create it. Whether or not you have the right of way.
This means on-ramps are essentially drag strips, that way you are moving as fast or faster than any traffic you see in the right-hand lane. It's essentially what is taught in motorcycle classes- you make and maintain your safety bubble, or else you end up a smear on the highway. You may have to slow down or speed up and change lanes to avoid some nincompoop, but at least you remain in one piece and breathing. Riding a crotch rocket in Florida while I was in the Navy made me acutely more aware and protective of my space than just driving a car ever would have.... with all of the "visually impaired" residents there, you DO NOT get a second chance, or the ability to wave a single finger if you're not actively assessing "What's the dumbest thing each and every driver on the road around me can do right now?" And play that chess game out in your head on a very rapid basis.
It's actually amazing how stress-free driving can become when you're actively driving this way... you never get surprised, and since you're evaluating everyone as an idiot about to hit you, when they don't it's actually a pleasant occurrence. However, it is mentally taxing... but I'd rather be exercising my mind to proactively avoid impacts rather than hung up in a hospital in traction awaiting PT because of one person not paying attention, and my mindset of "Well I was here first and I have the right of way..."
Exactly- whether I'm on two wheels or four I assume all other vehicle operators("driver" is giving them too much credit) are barely sentient-a safe bet-and I further assume that when faced with a decision they will make the most moronic choice possible.
The only way to truly be a "defensive" driver is to never trust other drivers. For anything. That means you controlling the space around your car like you are guarding the winning lotto ticket- if you want space around you, YOU must create it. Whether or not you have the right of way.
This means on-ramps are essentially drag strips, that way you are moving as fast or faster than any traffic you see in the right-hand lane. It's essentially what is taught in motorcycle classes- you make and maintain your safety bubble, or else you end up a smear on the highway. You may have to slow down or speed up and change lanes to avoid some nincompoop, but at least you remain in one piece and breathing. Riding a crotch rocket in Florida while I was in the Navy made me acutely more aware and protective of my space than just driving a car ever would have.... with all of the "visually impaired" residents there, you DO NOT get a second chance, or the ability to wave a single finger if you're not actively assessing "What's the dumbest thing each and every driver on the road around me can do right now?" And play that chess game out in your head on a very rapid basis.
It's actually amazing how stress-free driving can become when you're actively driving this way... you never get surprised, and since you're evaluating everyone as an idiot about to hit you, when they don't it's actually a pleasant occurrence. However, it is mentally taxing... but I'd rather be exercising my mind to proactively avoid impacts rather than hung up in a hospital in traction awaiting PT because of one person not paying attention, and my mindset of "Well I was here first and I have the right of way..."
Exactly- whether I'm on two wheels or four I assume all other vehicle operators("driver" is giving them too much credit) are barely sentient-a safe bet-and I further assume that when faced with a decision they will make the most moronic choice possible.
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
Be thankful they are still moving. The other day I was behind a car doing about 45 mph towards the end of an on-ramp when they suddenly STOPPED at the entrance to the highway with their blinker on.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
That's the worst; next up are the imbeciles who take any ramp at 50% or less of the advisory speed- with the brakes applied the entire time- those fools shouldn't be allowed to get within 100 yards of a drivers seat.
Be thankful they are still moving. The other day I was behind a car doing about 45 mph towards the end of an on-ramp when they suddenly STOPPED at the entrance to the highway with their blinker on.
I think more than half of the people on our roads should not have a license, but instead a permanent bus ticket.
That's the worst; next up are the imbeciles who take any ramp at 50% or less of the advisory speed- with the brakes applied the entire time- those fools shouldn't be allowed to get within 100 yards of a drivers seat.
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Originally Posted by SevenBizzos
OMG, this is a huge problem for me.
Most highway speeds are 70-75 around here, so you need to be going at minimum 65 when you are at the bottom of the ramp. There's a lot of people out there that end up only at 40-45 and it's dangerous for them and those blocked behind them.
The number one offender of this (well over 50% of the time) are Prius drivers. I get that not using the gas pedal down the ramp gets you a 99mpg rating, but you're going to have someone killed. I know those cars are capable of 70mph.
Yeah, the Camry rental I just had was not very good at this (dog) and a weird hesitation in town traffic …
OMG, this is a huge problem for me.
Most highway speeds are 70-75 around here, so you need to be going at minimum 65 when you are at the bottom of the ramp. There's a lot of people out there that end up only at 40-45 and it's dangerous for them and those blocked behind them.
The number one offender of this (well over 50% of the time) are Prius drivers. I get that not using the gas pedal down the ramp gets you a 99mpg rating, but you're going to have someone killed. I know those cars are capable of 70mph.
Yeah, the Camry rental I just had was not very good at this (dog) and a weird hesitation in town traffic …
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Originally Posted by fdcg27
Neither is a sign of weakness, as some would regard it to be, since all of us share the goal of reaching our destination safely and with a minimum of aggravation.
Not much sharing the road by me, show a little bit of weakness and you will get taken advantage of early and often
Neither is a sign of weakness, as some would regard it to be, since all of us share the goal of reaching our destination safely and with a minimum of aggravation.
Not much sharing the road by me, show a little bit of weakness and you will get taken advantage of early and often
Originally Posted by BJD78
Another thing I see every day is when there is a lane reduction on the freeway with big flashing sign 2-3 miles before and yet there is always some jerk that zooms around at the last 100 ft wanting in had 3 miles to get over, but nope cant do that, rather be a jerk, I guess. They are known as side zoomers around here, Very, very annoying and dangerous.
Drivers around here think merge means pass.
Another thing I see every day is when there is a lane reduction on the freeway with big flashing sign 2-3 miles before and yet there is always some jerk that zooms around at the last 100 ft wanting in had 3 miles to get over, but nope cant do that, rather be a jerk, I guess. They are known as side zoomers around here, Very, very annoying and dangerous.
Drivers around here think merge means pass.
"Left Lane Closed 3 Miles Ahead" shouldn't mean everyone stay in the right lane for the next 3 miles. It would work best to use both lanes up to near the point of closure, then do a 1 for 1 merge. But that would be an extraordinary level of cooperation.
Originally Posted by das_peikko
I find that I have a lot more options the faster I'm moving while merging.
Yes, this. I see it here all the time, even in our relatively small traffic. Someone wants to merge onto the Ring Road. There's no one in front of or behind me for half a mile, yet the person merging wants me to facilitate them when they're driving 20 mph. Their options are limited. They're not going to speed up quickly enough to get into the giant spot ahead of me. They slow down or stop and get in behind me, and probably annoy those people driving behind them who have no phobia against merging at a normal 60 mph.
Today was a new pain, people stopping for pedestrians on very busy streets between intersections. I don't mean a jaywalker running across and necessitating someone slamming on the brakes. I mean a jaywalker five lanes of traffic away, picking across like Frogger, yet someone in front of me insisting on stopping and waiting for them. Great idea until someone goes around the stopped vehicle, which is perfectly legal since this is nowhere near a crosswalk, and sends the pedestrian through the air when they emerge from the blind spot.
I find that I have a lot more options the faster I'm moving while merging.
Yes, this. I see it here all the time, even in our relatively small traffic. Someone wants to merge onto the Ring Road. There's no one in front of or behind me for half a mile, yet the person merging wants me to facilitate them when they're driving 20 mph. Their options are limited. They're not going to speed up quickly enough to get into the giant spot ahead of me. They slow down or stop and get in behind me, and probably annoy those people driving behind them who have no phobia against merging at a normal 60 mph.
Today was a new pain, people stopping for pedestrians on very busy streets between intersections. I don't mean a jaywalker running across and necessitating someone slamming on the brakes. I mean a jaywalker five lanes of traffic away, picking across like Frogger, yet someone in front of me insisting on stopping and waiting for them. Great idea until someone goes around the stopped vehicle, which is perfectly legal since this is nowhere near a crosswalk, and sends the pedestrian through the air when they emerge from the blind spot.
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