People gas it so you cant switch lanes?
- Thread starter The motor guy
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Exactly. The problem with the brain dead mouth breather doing 42 mph on the highway is they cause pile ups. The problem with the spazz on his phone trying to go 90 is him smashing into said pile.
If everyone just did 70 and left enough distance I'm sure the ins rates for those of us who possess actual driving skill would be 50% less.
dnewton3
Staff member
To be fair, the basis of the OPs complaint lays in the fact that most of the people who do get in front tend to slow down after they successfully merge.
(like most any trucker these days; old folks who think the left lane is for trolling; people who never check their rear-view mirror; etc ...)
So why let someone into the lane to "pass" when all they're going to do is lollygag along once they are in the new lane?
(like most any trucker these days; old folks who think the left lane is for trolling; people who never check their rear-view mirror; etc ...)
So why let someone into the lane to "pass" when all they're going to do is lollygag along once they are in the new lane?
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The worst sin you can commit in today's world, is to inconvenience someone.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Just glad I don't have to be in traffic as much now.
The trick to prevent that is you need the space of course, and when your ready signal at the very last moment, because when they have a huge warning then they block you off. Always speed up some to do the entry. Its best to let some one going fast to pass then come in fast behind them.
The trick to prevent that is you need the space of course, and when your ready signal at the very last moment, because when they have a huge warning then they block you off. Always speed up some to do the entry. Its best to let some one going fast to pass then come in fast behind them.
It is that way here as well.What's the saying? "You could be the guy putting turn signals on new BMWs"
Took a road trip the FL recently. Was shocked to find out that the left lane is for slow drivers and the right lane is for passing. Is that new?
Happens to me all the time even when merging onto the hiwy. 
Then they flip me off as if I were wrong for trying to merge.
Then they flip me off as if I were wrong for trying to merge.
Yeah, sometimes I just keep merging as long my bumper is 20' or so ahead of them... Pretend they weren't trying to be jerks and keep on trucking... Mostly I just try to be at speed when I merge so its no big deal.
I think most people do this a bit subconsciously and road rage isn't really a problem here, so they may tailgate for a moment but when no reaction happens and we are just going with traffic, that's the end of it.
I think most people do this a bit subconsciously and road rage isn't really a problem here, so they may tailgate for a moment but when no reaction happens and we are just going with traffic, that's the end of it.
I let drivers in if there they have a genuine need to merge, as opposed to those trying to get ahead of other drivers. For the second category I close up the distance so they cannot come in.
What helps if you are trying to discourage someone cutting in is staying to the extreme right of your lane when someone is trying to cut in from the right.
What helps if you are trying to discourage someone cutting in is staying to the extreme right of your lane when someone is trying to cut in from the right.
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I had a flatbed tow truck try to run me off the road last week. It was just an on ramp onto the freeway where twoanes turned into one and he's trying to go passed me. Sometimes I'll call into the company when I see reckless driving. I just wanted to go home that day though, so I didn't bother.Happens to me all the time even when merging onto the hiwy.
Then they flip me off as if I were wrong for trying to merge.
dnewton3
Staff member
Happens to me all the time even when merging onto the hiwy.
Then they flip me off as if I were wrong for trying to merge.
I will speak to IN Code, but I believe the same/similar principles are found in all state laws.
To be specific, it is the responsibility of the merging traffic to do so safely. Despite the typical attitude of a driver than they have a "right" to merge, that is not correct. The existing traffic is not required to yield the right of way to merging traffic; rather, it is the responsibility of the merging traffic to find a safe opportunity to do so.
The responsibility to yield is found in IC 9-21-8-31(a)(2):
A person who drives a vehicle shall do the following: Yield the right-of-way to other vehicles that have entered the intersection from the through highway or that are approaching so closely on the through highway as to constitute an immediate hazard.
The only exceptions to these would be if there was either a LEO or other authorized worker manually directing traffic, or specific signage otherwise contradicting the established code.
Further, when someone desires to merge into another lane, they must do so such that they do not create a condition where the traffic in the intended lane is now in jeopardy of unsafe operation (reduced stopping distances or unsafe following distances). In short, you cannot legally merge into the other lane by cutting someone off. I see this very often ...
Example: traffic is flowing at 70mph in a 70mph zone. Vehicle "A" is a smaller car and traveling in the left lane of a multi-lane highway; Veh "A" is safely following another vehicle (Veh B) by a margin adequate to satisfy the State following distance requirement. (often described as one vehicle length per 10mph of travel speed). So Vehicle A is perhaps 100 feet behind vehicle B. Now, vehicle "C" now wants to merge into that lane, and cuts off vehicle "A" simply because they can fit the car into the same lane. But what they have done is broken the law by unsafely causing the following distance of vehicle "A" to be unreasonably reduced. People often reason that because they can "fit" into the space, it's their right to do so. But that is patently wrong, and typically illegal. You must "merge" by respecting the full operational distances of following others. Just because you can cram your 20' long truck into the 100' of safe following distance, does not mean you have a "right" to do so. And in fact, it is illegal to do so in any state I know of. By inserting your 20' vehicle into the minimum 100' required distance, you have essentially created two insufficient distances (you following too close behind vehicle C, and you reducing vehicle A behind you to a new unsafe following distance).
In Indiana, the following distance requirement is defined in 9-21-8-14(b):
A person who drives a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles, the time interval between vehicles, and the condition of the highway.
When you enter into the minimum safe following distance requirement of another vehicle, it is you who is at fault by violating the lane of traffic you merge into.
I realize this happens, well, pretty much all the time. Many folks think that because they turn on their blinker/signal they have a "right" to merge. But that simply is not true. The merging traffic is required to do so safely; the onus is upon them. Generally, the desired lane of traffic has no responsibility to yield to the merging traffic.
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I've driven in many cities, but I've never seen worse drivers than in Houston. It's just plain dangerous.
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I need to get my transmission fixed so this isn't as much of a problem, but these days even a little Toyota corolla is like a rockets hip going down the road. All these new vehicles can acceralerate so fast. I remember when my truck was new it was pretty obvious I was one of the faster vehicles acceleration wise in the road. Not so much anymore....
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Yes. People are willing to die to save a couple minutes around here.
Nope. Dallas pioneered it.What's the saying? "You could be the guy putting turn signals on new BMWs"
Took a road trip the FL recently. Was shocked to find out that the left lane is for slow drivers and the right lane is for passing. Is that new?
^This.
A police officer friend once told me that you signal to notify, not to ask permission. I use the three-flash auto blinker on my car after I've already found my spot and ready to move into it. Polite, but assertive.
