Merging onto a Highway - "Rules of the Road"

[Fred W]

In a different thread, "Father with family in SUV chased, beaten by speed-demon bikers" (also in the "Completely Off Topic" SubForum) the tangential topic of who has the obligation to do what in certain traffic situations on the road came up. Rather than to continue the highjack of that thread I am quoting the pertinent posts from that discussion here for further discussion.

I have tried to trim out any of the discussion of that other thread in these quotations just leaving what is germane to this one, but without taking them out of context. If I have in any way altered anyone's intended meaning I apologize in advance

I've experienced that just the other day when merging onto a the freeway from a cloverleaf curve when some asshole in the slow lane rather than adjusting his speed to allow me to ingress, "stepped on the gas" to close the gap as I was attempting to merge.

I've experienced that just the other day when merging onto a the freeway from a cloverleaf curve when some asshole in the slow lane rather than adjusting his speed to allow me to ingress, "stepped on the gas" to close the gap as I was attempting to merge.

Sorry, you need to go back and learn the rules (and courtesies) of the road.

You, as the entering driver/rider have the obligation to yield to traffic already on that roadway, regardless of what they are doing. The driver already in the road has no obligation whatsoever to yield or adjust to accommodate you or your entry. Their job is to maintain steady course and speed (as much as practical) so that you can then adjust yours to perform the merge. When people do such silly crap as slow down for entering traffic it is what causes huge traffic delays and tie ups at every exit ramp of limited access highways, all because people do not understand what they are supposed to do.

Inability to merge with other traffic is why our interstates are in a continuous state of total chaos. Nobody, including slower traffic or tractor trailer trucks, who should be driving in the slow lane, will drive in the rightmost lane because of this fear of having to deal with "merging". This makes them ride in the 2nd lane, even if the right lane is open, and even while traveling at a speeds far less than the average traffic.

Naturally, since the right lane is mostly open that entices the people who want to pass the middle lane turtles to do so on their right, and this causes faster(est) traffic to be present in the right lane where people are attempting to merge.

I don't mean to come down hard on you, but you have tripped over one of my biggest traffic pet peeves.

Sorry...you have tripped over one of my biggest traffic pet peeves.

Boy would I love to jump in on this, but due to thread drift I'll keep out.

I have no scruples

My personal experience the other day wasn't to compare or contrast anything about merging but about reasonable behavior and personal responsability on the road. It's reckless for anyone to speed up to a point where you're not only racing to cut off merging traffic as said asshole did to the point of now tailgating the car in front of both of us just to cut me off. The "3-second" rule be damned, I guess. We ALL must excercise rational behavior in sharing the road. Fred, you weren't there to call it and simply stating the rules to me isn't the complete picture. Thankfully, that lead foot only hurt my feelings,hehe.

My prior response to your merging example was not saying that the guy speeding up was in the right to cut you off. He was not, and I even said so in that same response. He should have maintained his speed and allowed you to do what you need to do to merge. What I was responding to specifically was what I had bolded in your post: "rather than adjusting his speed to allow me to ingress, "

Sure, speeding up to cut off a merging driver/rider is wrong. But so is slowing down to accommodate them. And an expectation from merging drivers that the existing traffic should "be nice" and adjust their speed to allow them to merge is what is a big part of what goes wrong with traffic in the US. Sorry that you misunderstood my intent. I should have trimmed the quote down to just that sentence.

FWIW, if you leave three seconds between cars on the highway around here in the extended metro-Boston area three other cars will fill that space in a blink of an eye. Seriously.

And what's wrong with avoiding a precarious situation if slowing down on your part facilitates that? All I expect of other commuters is to do their part to avoid the other vehicle sharing the public roadway. No, I don't expect it, but what the hell is wrong with common courtesy to promote road safety? Why be a part of the problem?

Here's what is wrong with that:

When a vehicle traveling in the slow lane slows down to accommodate a merging vehicle, yes it might appear that he is being courteous to that merging driver, but he is doing so by being discourteous to all of the drivers behind him on the road, potentially hundreds or thousands of them at certain times of the day.

If the merging driver knows his responsibility he will already be trying to adjust his speed to match that of the cars already on the road. Then when the right lane driver changes his speed (slows down) it makes it that much more difficult for the merging driver to do that, so he will also slow down. You end up in situation where neither driver knows exactly what the other will do, and that is how you have either accidents or traffic coming to a complete stop on the highway.

The only car that should ever come to a complete stop is the merging driver, and only then in the extreme circumstance where there are no spaces in the first lane adequate to merge into. He has the obligation to yield, including the possibility of having to come to a stop to do that, during the merge. The drivers already in the road should continue at their prior speed unless a collision is imminent, not just so as not inconveniencing the merging driver.

Another common traffic faux paus related to this merging is when the right lane driver veers into the second lane to accommodate the merger. It's OK to do that if there is nobody else around and that second lane is completely open. But these swervers often like to make their evasive moves into a second lane that is already full of traffic, especially when they see the cars ahead of them are slowing for mergers. So now, not only is the first lane slowing, so is the second, and the third. Eventually the entire roadway is brought to its knees, all because we want t o be courteous to the merger.

 

[bobg3723]

Fred, slowing down to accommodate merging traffic also falls under avoiding a possible collision. Of course the statutory rules about right of way come in to play here but avoiding a collision trumps that. That goes with saying. But whether you decide to avoid a certain collision by slowing down when I the rules of the road say I have the right of way or whether you take on the responsibility to presuppose that the cars behind you are also obeying common sense then I submit should I give them priority as to whether they might hit me for my electing to slow down. Between the two, I would choose to avoid the inattentive merger IN FRONT OF ME rather than second guess the attentiveness of the drivers behind me. If the all driver's behind me were too close to me and each other resulting in a fender bender that involves me or among themselves due to my action to avoid a collision with the merger then THEY WERE AT FAULT FOR TAILGATING. Simple as that.

You would be ridiculed in traffic school if you choose to not practice DEFENSIVE DRIVING just as much as ignoring the statutory rules of the road.

Look, no one is advocating -let alone me- to always slow down because someone was inept at accelerating safely to merge. Personally, I often make a safe lane change because that falls under DEFENSIVE DRIVING. I'm not required to do so but elect to do so because doing that costs me nothing. But when when I'm boxed in as an inept merger is coming down the pike as he's slowly rounding the cloverleaf, I speed up to get in front of him. If I can't make that happen because of a myriad of reasons, then I have no choice but to slow down. All this speed adjustment I take to speed up or slow down becomes moot if everyone involved ahead of me (what goes on behind me is beyond my control) gives reasonable distance for a merge to be successful without incident.

 

[ULEWZ]

It is possible the guy sped up to allow you room to merge in. I much prefer this to someone slowing down on the FWY. In my case, I would have nailed it and still got in front, but I tend to ride aggressive, which IMO can save your life as well as kill you.

 

[bobg3723]

Road courtesy is a respect for protocol. Statutory road rules are protocol. Defensive driving is also protocol. So when is it appropriate to slow down. Here's one: "oh, there's little old lady from Pasadena hell bent for leather as she was speeding onto the 210", so do I speed up to preserve the Right of Way Rule, or do I back off?" You be the judge.

But going back to when it's appropriate to slowing down. No one - let alone me - advocates slowing down as a road courtesy to accommodate someone who's inept at performing a safe merge just to be "nice".

Road courtesy is respect for protocol. If I erred getting my point across with that buzzword, oh well.

 

[Fred W]

Slowing down to accommodate merging traffic can only be classified as defensive driving when done as a last resort. That sounds like what you are talking about, so you probably aren't one of the clueless people I am peeved at. The one statement you made: "rather than adjusting his speed to allow me to ingress," made me think otherwise, maybe just a bad choice of words.

There have been countless times when I have tried to maintain my speed in the first lane (as I am supposed to) and where there was plenty of room for an incoming merging driver to either accelerate and go ahead of me or slowdown a little and go behind me. But instead they just turn on their magic left turn signal and expect me to make some sort of an evasive maneuver. And then they get all pissed off as if they have somehow been wronged.

Likewise there are also many times when I am following someone who apparently doesn't have the spatial awareness to know that they will be well past the merge point by the time the merging vehicle makes it around the cloverleaf, so they either swerve into the next lane or begin to slow down (in turn slowing me down) well in advance to let in the incoming driver.

Then there are the "Rotarys" (called roundabouts or traffic circles in some areas). These seem to be the new darlings of roadway designers these days. Don't even get me started about them.

 

[bobg3723]

It is possible the guy sped up to allow you room to merge in. I much prefer this to someone slowing down on the FWY. In my case, I would have nailed it and still got in front, but I tend to ride aggressive, which IMO can save your life as well as kill you.

There are situations where speeding up can be more dangerous, like when you're pulling a trailer as I do with my MC. I perform a safe lane change or choose to slow down rather than speed up in that scanerio with a trailer.

 

[garyahouse]

Some interesting stuff, Fred. We all have our share of pet peeves. I've had the same thing happen to me that your OP spoke of. But contrary to the way many folks drive/ride, I'm rarely in a hurry and don't find myself getting flustered with drivers who "pull" this kinda stuff. I'm just happy to arrive alive every day... especially riding here in Florida.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[marcusorelius]

I had a motor home on the start of hwy 1 in ca (miles of tight twisty's) signal me to pass as we were come'n up to a blind curve! F'n idiot! Blew by him when it was SAFE to pass!

 

[nankoweap]

Some people damn sure don't know how to merge. Some people are assholes and speed up or slow down to prevent someone from merging. Bad combination when the two meet. But anyone merging that expects more than common courtesy of those already established in the lane... they're smoking something.

 

[lnewlf]

Here's my peeve..

You think any of the above even occurs to the majority of drivers on the road today??

 

[user 31223]

Interesting thread had this happen to me yesterday , a bunch of car all held up by the car in front all arrived at the merging point as I did, couldnt move out as I would if i could so had to hit the brakes as did 2 of the merging cars and the car behind me. in this case the mergers thought they had right of way and I had to slow, well eventually they were right

3 observations,

1. lead car was in no way getting up to speed causing a log jam - this is my pet peeve people not getting up to speed.

2. The mergers were clearly not taking all around them into consideration - lack of consideration there.

3. In the uk, where I leant to drive, all on-ramps have a dotted line at the merge point signifying its a " yield" , why don't they do that here ?

I feel in general people on the road are very inconsiderate, including " professional drivers" bus, truck etc , it seems to all be about me and not how we have to share the road.

 

[airboss]

Fred, I don't think you're going to like this.

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf

"• To through traffic when approaching a MERGE sign. You must increase or decrease

your speed to avoid a crash."

he official word on merging traffic,except in Chicago were it reads " he who has the most lug nuts has the right of way."

 

[garyahouse]

"(written) to through traffic when approaching a MERGE sign: "You must increase or decreaseyour speed to avoid a crash."

(That's) the official word on merging traffic, except in Chicago were it reads " he who has the most lug nuts has the right of way."

Or in Florida: the official word on merging traffic is: he who has the most wrinkles or the whitest hair has the right-of-way, with the exception of any tourist from Canada, to whom anyone with any semblance of self-preservation will grant the ROW. Even police cars and Ememrgency vehicles won't tangle with the Canadians.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[MEM]

Fred, I don't think you're going to like this.
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf

" To through traffic when approaching a MERGE sign. You must increase or decrease

your speed to avoid a crash."

he official word on merging traffic,except in Chicago were it reads " he who has the most lug nuts has the right of way."

I've never driven on a highway /expressway/ interstate that had a 'Merge' sign on it. One is more likely to see a 'merge' sign in municipalities where streets (or slow-speed roads) converge.

In your cited source, under Expressway Driving, is this :

"When entering an expressway, you will usually find a speed-change lane. This lane allows you to gain the speed necessary before merging. Signal and look for an opening in the traffic, match traffic speed and merge with traffic when safe." <highlighting is mine>

Which is more to Fred 's point.

 

[LKLD]

Was a turn signal used? I've found them, being used, as a way to let me in traffic. That, and going faster on the on-ramp than what is on the road I'm merging into.

 

[bobg3723]

Around here I don't see simple merge signs but I do see signs spoken plainly, RIGHT LANE ENDS, MERGE TO THE LEFT. On a side note, here in Minnesocold, they put in place roundabouts out in the rural areas. No merge sign. rather, you'll see a YIELD sign meant for the vehicle on the spur approaching the roundabout, rather than for the one in the roundabout. It's not a familiar type of traffic control junction and so people who aren't up to speed on their rules of the road don't get confused as to the right of way. Hence, there's a YIELD sign on all spokes leading into the roundabout. I like roundabouts- they save lives because too many people get T-boned at typical crossroads trying to dash across the primary road.

 

[Bustanut joker]

If you have even half a brain, merging into the flow is quite simple.. You are the problem. Traffic on the road defines what a thinking person does.

It ain't rocket Science if you are an experienced driver.

I spent the better part of ten years dragging oversize loads and can honestly state never once did I have a merging issue. It's all about paying attention.

 

[bobg3723]

And there's those inattentive mergers who (all the while holding their cellphone their ear) come onto the freeway so distracted and at the same time trying to zoom ahead to overtake me on the right that they fail to see me my MC's flashing signal light to exit at the oncoming freeway junction. The guy behind them also is in a rush. It seems they''ll only respond to my sticking my hand out to get their attention. Happens when I'm in my car too, so it's par for the course. I just drive defensively, don't get in a rush, and don't get mad. I've been up against agro drivers when I was in my car too, so it's just par for the course.

 

[bobg3723]

If you have even half a brain, merging into the flow is quite simple.. You are the problem. Traffic on the road defines what a thinking person does.
It ain't rocket Science if you are an experienced driver.

I spent the better part of ten years dragging oversize loads and can honestly state never once did I have a merging issue. It's all about paying attention.

Well congrats for your success these past ten years. Yeah it's a simple maneuver we all do all the time. But that's a far cry from being the complete picture. You only hope that your safe driving will keep it that way. And how you see the world when your working a cooperate maneuver such a s a merge in possibly tight space may not square with the other person and if you both don't agree who's going to lead and who's going to follow then someone's dancing shoes are going to get scuffed. You're dealing with others that you share the road with and you hope they're willing to stick to the protocol called for. It's not about rocket science. It's about everything from inattentive vehicle operators, recklessness and to downright aggro powerplays, too. There are emotion driven and imperfect people out there sharing that road with you too. If it all boiled down to something as simple experience, and proper thinking then road rage would disappear to insignificance would it not?