Tips for merging

Vulcan Rider wrote:

The REAL cause of merging accidents is the drivers who act like A-holes (or who are not paying attention) and don't make space for the incoming vehicles.



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

Two dumb and really wrong statements. The norm today seems to be I'm gonna merge and you're going to move or stop to get out of my way.

The traffic on the highway has the right of way. You're not an A-hole for not making space and certainly not wrong. It's people who think this that are the problem.

It's a merge lane. Learn how to merge. If you're counting on the actions of others you're fool. The one who merges without obeying the rules of the road is wrong.

When you're on the highway you supposed to maintain your speed. Get up to speed to merge, estimate your acceleration rate and visible spaces to merge. If you can't merge use the breakdown lane until you can merge.

Way too many times people have tried to merge into my entry door ( which was 30 feet from the front of the truck or are merging at well below the highway speeds One Rver who was doing approx. 40 tried to merge in front of me while I was doing 65mph and got a big dose of air horns. He wasn't even near the end of the ramp yet. I couldn't move over because of the large semi right next to me.

Reader1 wrote:
Well... since I will be no help and my "scared" noises don't help my husband, I close my eyes and count 60 seconds. By the time I open my eyes we are already down the road. (True, but I thought I would lighten up the mood a little here.)

Mood lightened.

My GF does the same thing. She also reaches for non-existent "oh $h!t" handles and passenger-side brake pedals. She now sleeps (or feigns sleep) in traffic.

Reader1 wrote:
Well... since I will be no help and my "scared" noises don't help my husband, I close my eyes and count 60 seconds. By the time I open my eyes we are already down the road. (True, but I thought I would lighten up the mood a little here.)

Sometimes I do this as well. Only difference...I am usually driving.:B

Well... since I will be no help and my "scared" noises don't help my husband, I close my eyes and count 60 seconds. By the time I open my eyes we are already down the road. (True, but I thought I would lighten up the mood a little here.)

JumboJet wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Merging in to traffic is their problem ...........

With the volume of traffic and mix of traffic on our Interstate highways, I find myself frequently telling that merging driver "Use the little pedal. Use the little pedal!"

I typically drive 65 MPH tops. When I have traffic beside me and cannot move over, I maintain my speed and it is up to the driver of the merging vehicle to get up to speed or stay out of my way.

I do not tailgate and there will always be room in front of me for a merging vehicle that can get up to speed to slide in.

"The one on the right, the pedal on the right"... my line when I can't move over. Plenty of space in front of me---go for it:B

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.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Merging in to traffic is their problem ...........

With the volume of traffic and mix of traffic on our Interstate highways, I find myself frequently telling that merging driver "Use the little pedal. Use the little pedal!"

I typically drive 65 MPH tops. When I have traffic beside me and cannot move over, I maintain my speed and it is up to the driver of the merging vehicle to get up to speed or stay out of my way.

I do not tailgate and there will always be room in front of me for a merging vehicle that can get up to speed to slide in.

zach477 wrote:

dan-nickie wrote:

zach477 wrote:
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 a huge blind spot.

I think most posters have missed your point of being a 45 degree angle and you cannot see the merging traffic, correct?

I have found that this is the best use of the Side Cameras.
They have a very wide angle view and I can see anything that is on a merge path with my MH.

Many people say the side cameras are useless, but I find they are very valuable for just this one reason.

This is correct! I'm referring to the situations where the lane you want to merge into is smack in the middle of your blind spot because of the angle of the roads....roughly 45 degrees.

As you can see, many on this site really don't care what you asked if it gives them an opportunity to get into a heated discussion. :R

There are two laws that I noticed as we did a ten week trip around the USA that I think should be part of Interstate regs. In one state the have a fairly long stretch between the far right lane and the adjacent lane where changing lanes to the right is prohibited. I also saw a lot of people change to the right because the off ramp preceding the on ramp has space due to drivers exiting. I think it opens up a lot of real estate for merging vehicles from the on ramps.

The second is a law that says when you get to a merge right or left, you are suppose to do that as soon as it is safe, not speed up and force your way in at the last minute.

Those are just two of many laws that are really just common sense IMHO.

C'mon, guys. Let's not get the mods riled and lose this thread, too.

Respectful disagreement or truce, please.