Tips for merging
What are your tips for merging with traffic when the lane you're approaching is at a near-45 degree angle from your lane? For example, a highway on or off ramp. As you get close to merging, you have...
Forum Discussion
I see this every day. Four or five cars move over to let you out, but one maintains that lane even though they have plenty of room to move over. Is it still my responsibility to merge---yes. There is no law that says that driver needs to be courteous.
When my options are slamming on my brakes, driving off the edge of the ramp, or "encouraging" a bit of respect from that driver--- I am not against a bit of forced common courtesy.
The law says you will yield to oncoming traffic in that situation, period. Your forced common courtesy will cause a wreck, not accident, a wreck possibly taking your life as well as others. The law does not provide for you to give lessons in courtesy on our highways. Forced common courtesy!!! give me a break.
Did you see the part where I said they had plenty of room to move over??---how about the part where I said I knew it was "technically wrong" but I do it anyway? Yes, I must merge, and courtesy is not a law. Grandma can keep both hands on the wheel, in the right lane, if she wants to.
This does not mean I cut them off--- it simple means they will either slow down to my speed or move over.
I have over a million miles on my @$$ in a tractor-trailer, hundreds of thousands pulling a TT. I have never caused an accident (rear-ended someone or been rear-ended, etc.). I know how to merge, I am willing to TAKE a space if I have too, stop on the ramp if need be, whatever---- But like someone else said, it is much safer for me to "move" one person while I am doing 50 mph onto a 70 mph highway, then for me to be running through 10 gears from a stand still.
Little factiod: Loaded I can starting pulling in 2nd gear, on flat ground, I will be in 9th gear when I reach 45 mph. That is with a 10 speed tranny. I shift 3-4 times just to get thru the average intersection.
Driving a larger vehicle requires constant viligence and patients. However, it also mandates that you take deliberate actions, to ensure that the "size" is not overlooked by people who may not give it a second thought.
and yes, I even gave the OP some advise on the subject of blind spots prior to merging in my 1st response to him/her.
When my options are slamming on my brakes, driving off the edge of the ramp, or "encouraging" a bit of respect from that driver--- I am not against a bit of forced common courtesy.
The law says you will yield to oncoming traffic in that situation, period. Your forced common courtesy will cause a wreck, not accident, a wreck possibly taking your life as well as others. The law does not provide for you to give lessons in courtesy on our highways. Forced common courtesy!!! give me a break.
Did you see the part where I said they had plenty of room to move over??---how about the part where I said I knew it was "technically wrong" but I do it anyway? Yes, I must merge, and courtesy is not a law. Grandma can keep both hands on the wheel, in the right lane, if she wants to.
This does not mean I cut them off--- it simple means they will either slow down to my speed or move over.
I have over a million miles on my @$$ in a tractor-trailer, hundreds of thousands pulling a TT. I have never caused an accident (rear-ended someone or been rear-ended, etc.). I know how to merge, I am willing to TAKE a space if I have too, stop on the ramp if need be, whatever---- But like someone else said, it is much safer for me to "move" one person while I am doing 50 mph onto a 70 mph highway, then for me to be running through 10 gears from a stand still.
Little factiod: Loaded I can starting pulling in 2nd gear, on flat ground, I will be in 9th gear when I reach 45 mph. That is with a 10 speed tranny. I shift 3-4 times just to get thru the average intersection.
Driving a larger vehicle requires constant viligence and patients. However, it also mandates that you take deliberate actions, to ensure that the "size" is not overlooked by people who may not give it a second thought.
and yes, I even gave the OP some advise on the subject of blind spots prior to merging in my 1st response to him/her.
