Late Merging

porcelain_doll

How do you all feel about "late merging" on the freeway? Are you for it or against it? Do you think it is rude and impedes the flow of traffic, or do you think it is logical and assists in the flow of traffic? Why do you feel the way you do?

I'm referring to the etiquette involved when a lane is ending, and drivers must merge out of their lane before it closes, whether it be because of construction or the lane is simply ending. Not talking about merging onto a freeway from an on-ramp.

I've been reading a lot of contrasting opinions on the matter. Some interesting logic floating around out there.

I know where I stand on it, but I want to hear what you all have to say.

:glasses:

SueInAz

There are few things I hate worse than when there is a back up of traffic because everyone has merged into one lane, it's been obvious for at least a quarter mile and some a-hole comes racing up in the empty lane trying to force his way in to the "front" of the line. It's not only rude but it's arrogant.

ejohndrow

I hate it. Here we are in a lane, going like -5mph because we were all smart enough to see the signs a mile back, letting us know to merge-then some punk come speeding past everyone like they've discovered some hidden lane no one had thought to use. I shake my fist at them.

ZebraHead

Late merging is evil. Why would you endanger everyone else because you 'think' you can cut right in there.

Shannon023

I'm usually behind the person who wants to merge onto the highway going at least 15 mph below the speed limit. :explode: Thanks {bleep} head, I was hoping to get rear ended today!

darkrider42

Traffic engineers say that all drivers should use all available lanes up to the merge point and then alternate/take turns. The problem is that not everyone does that so one lane backs up for (a mile) while the other is empty. It just *begs* for people to cut to the front. But if everyone* filled up all the lanes evenly, it wouldn't be possible for line jumpers and everyone would go on their merry way, FIFO (first-in, first-out).

I blame early mergers. (Of which I am almost all of the time. Rarely do I line jump.)

sillygoose1977

I try my best to never let them in. :happy:

porcelain_doll

Traffic engineers say that all drivers should use all available lanes up to the merge point and then alternate/take turns. The problem is that not everyone does that so one lane backs up for (a mile) while the other is empty. It just *begs* for people to cut to the front. But if everyone* filled up all the lanes evenly, it wouldn't be possible for line jumpers and everyone would go on their merry way, FIFO (first-in, first-out).

I blame early mergers. (Of which I am almost all of the time. Rarely do I line jump.)

The "zipper" method, yes? Popular in Pennsylvania, Europe, India, and probably other places I'm forgetting. I've also read the same regarding traffic engineers and what they recommend for the best flow of traffic.

darkrider42

The "zipper" method, yes? Popular in Pennsylvania, Europe, India, and probably other places I'm forgetting. I've also read the same regarding traffic engineers and what they recommend for the best flow of traffic.

Yes! The "zipper" method! Thank you, I couldn't remember the term.

How do we change the population's tendency to move over right away? Is that even possible? Sometimes in construction zones here in Minnesota, they'll occasionally use the light-up traffic control signs to instruct motorists with the flashing/scrolling message to use "all available lanes then alternate at merge". That seems to work, but we have a few notorious lane-reductions in the Twin Cities metropolitan area that have no such signage and there are accidents, extremely aggressive driving behaviors and no doubt countless near road-rage incidents on a daily basis.

If people would stop being so darn nice and moving over right away all the time and instead BE LOGICAL about it, LOL, everybody would be much happier and less stressed out.

KristenAnn711

I'm sure it depends where you live, as some areas are probably so packed you have to stop or slow down and merge late, but for me...

If you're going to take the expressway, get your *kitten* over ASAP and drive the speed limit!!!!!!!

bbb84

Lliving in Florida, I swear they will give any idiot a drivers license. Not only do we not know how to merge before coming up on construction or as people are coming onto the interstate during heavy traffic times.... but when there is an accident, there a good number of drivers who feel the need to use the emergency lane or the space designated for you to pull over when your car breaks down to jump the line. I do not have road rage, but it really pisses me off. Seriously, what makes you so special? I too shake my fist and have also been known to let my truck sit a half in the lane and half out to black these people from getting by (yea, that heffer you see blocking you from jumping the rest of us who are waiting in the blazing Fla sun , it's me!). GRR.... commen sense people, sometimes you just have to hurry up and wait. If I can help it, I try to move over ahead of time, but If not I will let one car in front of me, zig zag method.

darkrider42

Lliving in Florida, I swear they will give any idiot a drivers license. Not only do we not know how to merge before coming up on construction or as people are coming onto the interstate during heavy traffic times.... but when there is an accident, there a good number of drivers who feel the need to use the emergency lane or the space designated for you to pull over when your car breaks down to jump the line. I do not have road rage, but it really pisses me off. Seriously, what makes you so special? I too shake my fist and have also been known to let my truck sit a half in the lane and half out to black these people from getting by (yea, that heffer you see blocking you from jumping the rest of us who are waiting in the blazing Fla sun , it's me!). GRR.... commen sense people, sometimes you just have to hurry up and wait. If I can help it, I try to move over ahead of time, but If not I will let one car in front of me, zig zag method.

I'm not saying I haven't ever done that.... *whistles - nothin' to see here*, ok it's been a really long time since. I've reformed. But in some states, not sure about FL, that's illegal and you could get a ticket for a "rolling roadblock".