Comments on: Merging

By: Alexia

Alexia — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:15:07 +0000

I’ve always thought that merging as soon as it is safely possible (and without slowing down traffic) is the best option. Especially if the driver’s in the remaining lane are keeping an eye out for merging vehicles.

Honestly, people that stay in the closed lane for as long as possible drive me batty (I still love you!

ESPECIALLY those that are doing it just to move ahead a few cars!

By: Darla

Darla — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:36:23 +0000

I try to merge right away (only for my own sanity). I’ve missed the 1840 signs tho (in my wonderful driving ways) and been stuck at the last second praying for mercy from others to let me merge.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:29:52 +0000

I’m not a fan of changing lanes anyways, I don’t even like driving when there’s a lot of traffic. So if I know my lane is going to need to merge I will do it as soon as I have an opportunity just so I don’t have to deal with the stress of someone not letting me in when the lane does actually end. Thankfully I live where I don’t have to deal with a lot of traffic most of the time, and when we do travel I let my husband drive!

By: Cathryn

Cathryn — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:13:31 +0000

All I know is that most people start merging as soon as it’s possible for them to do so. However, the IDIOTS who don’t make it a mess for every one. It’s that sense of entitlement that some people seem to possess: I’m entitled to it and you are entitled to give it to me!

By: Megan

Megan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:48:22 +0000

In mine line of work (which shall hereinafter remain unnamed), I have had the opportuinity to work with many, many traffic design engineers. The reason that merge lanes are a certain length is that you are supposed to stay in the lane for as long as possible. When you merge too early, it actually disrupts the moving traffic more than if you go to the end of the merge lane to merge. So, that’s what I do and why

By: mary kathryn

mary kathryn — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:06:31 +0000

Been in this situation too many times to count! And I hate to disagree with you, but clearly it is in everyone’s best interest to merge as soon as possible, while there is plenty of room AND while all cars are still able (safely) to drive at normal speed. If everyone merged early, all cars could continue driving through the construction at 45 mph, without stopping or delaying. One car, waiting and demanding to merge from a slowed/stopped position, causes trouble.

You see, when just a few people wait, and merge later, they force everyone to slow down to THEIR speed in the closed lane, which is often stopped by that time. The reason why everyone can’t just continue to drive along at 45 MPH in one lane, it’s b/c of those who refuse to merge early.

And I hate to say it, but the 18-wheeler’s behavior is exactly how those truckers cope with this situation; he wasn’t being vindictive. These truckers are on the interstate 24/7, and they KNOW how correct merging is supposed to work. And they want it done correctly, not for their own convenience, but for economic reasons. Every minute wasted, stopped in line, costs them money. They know that those who try to push forward in the closed lane, and delay merging, are ruining it for everyone.

Just my opinion, but my hubby and I have evaluated this driving headache over the years, and this is the conclusion we’ve come to.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:55:34 +0000

I think it’s terribly rude, not to mention dangerous. So glad there wasn’t an accident in the story.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:44:53 +0000

I live in Germany at the moment and we were told in the European driving class that it is mandatory (like many traffic rules here) to do the every-other-car merge when a lane ends. It makes sense, and since everyone knows (and follows) the rule it usually works well! Why can’t that be enforced in the US?

Of course there will always be the one person who tries to get ahead. We all laugh at them when we see them further up the road without advancing. Hehe.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:41:01 +0000

Just started reading your blog a week ago, love it! From what I understand and actually remember from drivers’ ed, though not a law, you are supposed to merge at the merge as someone said above. Although it will eventually spill back and slow both lanes, it does actually keep the overall flow moving better. And I think if everyone merges at the end, you prevent more people from driving like the pick-up driver.

By: Pamela C.

Pamela C. — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:25:08 +0000

I usually start to look for a safe place to merge as soon as I see that the lane is going to close. In other words, sometimes it is right away and other times it is close to the end. Having been in an accident when someone pulled out from a business driveway in front of me while I was going 55mph has made me more of a cautious driver. My ten month old granddaughter was in the back seat (safely snuggled in her car seat) and did not end up with a scratch on her. I was badly bruised and had a cracked sternum. Don’t know about the driver of the other car.

My husband, on the other hand, is a stay in the lane and merge every other one kind of guy. In makes him upset to see truck drivers trying to control traffic…especially if they are weaving and trying to control two lanes of traffic.

To me, safety is the important issue.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and stay safe!