Tips for merging

This picture is a good example of a difficult merging lane. It looks like it comes in at a sharp angle and is not very long. As I mentioned above, in this case, if there was not an obvious hole in traffic when I first got there, there is plenty of room to the side of the merge lane for me to pull in to and wait for my opportunity to merge. I will then have good visibility. It will eventually come and then I can continue on my way without disrupting traffic and without holding up drivers behind me.

Well, to Zach the OP: as you can see by now, most of us driving big Class A's manage these merges well, but all of us have encountered situations where it didn't quite work out the way we planned.

All I can say, is keep looking, be prepared to change your plan, and be thankful for Air Brakes.

Vulcan Rider wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

And if that uncooperative driver is in another Class A, with traffic beside him and behind him so that he cannot pull over, what then tough guy?

I maintain that there are scant few instances where you REALLY cannot see what is coming and adjust for it.

And there are just about ZERO cases where the vehicles ON the highway cannot see the ramp. The person who CAN see has a moral obligation to adjust if possible. It almost always is possible.

Taking your foot OFF OF THE GAS is always an option. ALWAYS.

OK fair enough. Now let me give you my perspective. Unlike most RV owners that only put 5000 miles a year on their coach, I usually drive 15,000-20,000 every year. I am also not one of the many on this forum that like to cruise at 55-65 MPH. If I am on the interstate it is to get from A to B. I have driven on most of them so I am not on there to enjoy the scenery. It is just something to get me to what I really enjoy, which is the destination.
I am going to be traveling at 70-75 MPH, the speed limit, and IF I can move over, I always will for a car, truck, or other RV. When I see another vehicle in the merge lane, that is obviously going slower than me, and will probably end up blocking the lane in front of me by setting his cruise at 55-65 MPH, then if I cannot pull over, it is doubtful that I am going to do anything to help them merge in front of me. If I can speed up to help, I will, but the rest is up to them. Merging in to traffic is their problem and if I let them in front of me, it becomes my problem because I now have to wait for a hole in traffic to pass them and continue on my trip.
I've been on both ends and have to merge in to traffic just like you. I have stopped at my best point of vision of oncoming traffic which may still be at the very start of the merging lane or maybe while I am still near the exit from the rest area, etc. I watch for the hole in traffic and let other vehicles drive around me if they need to. Once I start to merge, I have a pretty good idea of where I can fit in because I watched for that hole before I ever took off. I do not just drive in to a merge lane and assume that there will be a hole by the time I get there.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

gemert wrote:
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.

And if that uncooperative driver is in another Class A, with traffic beside him and behind him so that he cannot pull over, what then tough guy?

tough. Guy is headed for a real serious wreck. Won't be an accident either. He will hopefully lose his drivers license while dispensing his brand of road courtesy . The courts will surely call his antics Road rage.

Vulcan Rider wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

And if that uncooperative driver is in another Class A, with traffic beside him and behind him so that he cannot pull over, what then tough guy?

I maintain that there are scant few instances where you REALLY cannot see what is coming and adjust for it.

And there are just about ZERO cases where the vehicles ON the highway cannot see the ramp. The person who CAN see has a moral obligation to adjust if possible. It almost always is possible.

Taking your foot OFF OF THE GAS is always an option. ALWAYS.

Very well said. If that other driver is in another large vehicle chances are that they will be courteous. I have been disappointed by trucks before but I never remember an RV cutting me off that way.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

And if that uncooperative driver is in another Class A, with traffic beside him and behind him so that he cannot pull over, what then tough guy?

I maintain that there are scant few instances where you REALLY cannot see what is coming and adjust for it.

And there are just about ZERO cases where the vehicles ON the highway cannot see the ramp. The person who CAN see has a moral obligation to adjust if possible. It almost always is possible.

Taking your foot OFF OF THE GAS is always an option. ALWAYS.

Vulcan Rider wrote:

GMandJM wrote:
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.

Well now those two statements would seem to be in direct conflict with each other.
You must yield but don't stop.

I'm interpreting it as "Don't stop unless you can't enter safely. In that case you are allowed/required to stop."

Related to merging courtesy:

One personal fave (NOT!) is when we cede the slow lane (move over) so someone in the merge lane can come onto the main roadway...and then the idiot paces us (goes the same speed), blocking us from getting back into the "slow lane". So frustrating!

GMandJM wrote:

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.... :)

I'm ok with that. It sounds harsh and I exaggerated somewhat because there is just so much one of these heavy vehicles can do. I try very hard to be safe and to be courteous to all drivers but there are just some knuckleheads that think just because they are technically correct, that that 80 ton semi can stop in 100 feet because they can. People just need to leave their anger and bad attitudes at home when they are driving around with a huge weapon under their control!

GMandJM wrote:
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.

Well now those two statements would seem to be in direct conflict with each other.

You must yield but don't stop.

I'm not proposing muscling your way into a line of really heavy traffic where there is no space. But I think that doesn't really happen very often. If it does, you need to review your travel plans and change your hours.

What I AM saying is that most of the time, there is ample time and space for the drivers on the road to make room for your vehicle, not matter what it is. After all, the traffic flow has just taken them past huge green signs proclaiming an exit; probably several. Then they have also passed the exit itself. In almost 100% of the cases, an exit is followed closely by an entry ramp.

Once you occupy that "acceleration lane" you have just as much right to that space beside you as the guy who has the same space ahead of him. IF he can't see fit to ease off on the gas just a tiny bit......or move over if there is room.....HE deserves whatever he gets.

People who purposely make spaces disappear when others are trying to enter should be in jail......or the hospital.

Just my opinion, mind you.