Tips for merging

gemert wrote:
Courtesy is what keeps traffic flowing safely on our roads. Those that don't know it need to be taught, just like the stubborn little baby they are acting like!!!

They might dislike you over that though. Just saying.... :)

GMandJM wrote:

gemert wrote:
I know people hate me because I dislike VA. Sorry.

I doubt anyone cares enough to hate you over it. :)

True!! I still expect to draw some heat over it. Hope your right.

gemert wrote:
I know people hate me because I dislike VA. Sorry.

I doubt anyone cares enough to hate you over it. :)

cbshoestring wrote:

3oaks wrote:

summerhouse wrote:
Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!!

That attitude is what causes accidents.
All highway on ramps I have seen have a YIELD sign on the approach ramps. Have a safe day! Obey all the rules of the road.

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.

First VA is not my choice of a Common wealth, not even a State by their own choice. Sorry stationed there for years and hated it. What I have found in my 40 footer with 505 hp is that I am at a disadvantage merging into traffic. I accelerate as fast as I can and aim for a hole! If an uncooperative driver uses his acceleration advantage to try to cut me off then we are in trouble because usually I can no longer see them by that point. They will be surprised when I don't stop in the acceleration lane to let them, the idiot, by me. You think it's unsafe trying to fit in the hole at speed, try it from a stand still on a busy interstate. I always change lanes for buses, RVs and Semi's because I know how tough it is. It is not hard for a car or PU to adjust their speed and then pass after the big vehicle is safely in the through lane. I know people hate me because I dislike VA. Sorry.

Vulcan Rider wrote:
High speed merging is a cooperative thing and the guy who doesn't cooperate is the one in the wrong.

Not exactly. Here's what our Florida DMV manual says:

• • • On the entrance ramp, begin checking for an opening in traffic. Signal for your turn. As the ramp straightens into the acceleration lane, speed up. Try to adjust your speed so that you can move into the traffic when you reach the end of the acceleration lane. Merge into traffic when you can do so safely. You must yield the right-of-way to traffic on the expressway. You cannot always count on other drivers moving over to give you room to enter, but do not stop on an acceleration lane unless traffic is too heavy and there is no space for you to enter safely.

jeepfreak wrote:
If I'm not up to speed and can't get in I just run the breakdown lane until I can merge. I don't worry about crashing into the white line.

X2. This is exactly what I do. My coach simply can not get up to highway speed in the distance allotted. Therefore, I rely on the courtesy of other drivers to let me in but there are two problems with this.

1) Sometimes, two tractor trailers are running side by side on the highway and they can not move over to let me in, and,
2) Sometimes there is no shoulder. i.e. there is road construction or a bridge ahead.

If I ever had both problems at the same time, I'm afraid I would not have any room to stop before coming on to the highway and I can not accelerate to prevent an accident. I know of no way to avoid an accident if #1 and #2 happen at the same time.

Maybe that's why some people have such a problem with merging. They don't know the laws? Anyway...

Back to Zach....all I can say is watch ahead as soon as you can see the merge to see what traffic is coming up. Pick your spot and hope everyone agrees that you can go there.

Don't count on anyone to cede the lane. (Nice when they do though.)

Use your mirrors and if they're not adequate (too much of a blind spot), consider a side view camera.

GMandJM wrote:


"Drivers entering an interstate from an entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the highway."

Exactly! In every state, the drivers on the interstate highway always have the right of way. Any vehicle merging must yield.

FormerBoater wrote:

3oaks wrote:

summerhouse wrote:
Not to mention, we are much bigger then most of the other vehicles out there...they will move...either out of courtesy or fear!!

That attitude is what causes accidents.
All highway on ramps I have seen have a YIELD sign on the approach ramps. Have a safe day! Obey all the rules of the road.

Not on any Interstate highway that I have traveled on.

A merge lane with yield sign in VA (no fun in a 42' MH w/tow'd, btw):



A quote from the VA DMV Driver Manual:

"Drivers entering an interstate from an entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the highway."