Crazy Accident

Desert Captain wrote:
When the signs pictured above are present I agree only a moron (Chucklehead, idiot, Bozo.... take your pick), ignore those instructions. The reality is that often, if not most of the time, those signs are not present. What you usually encounter is a sign simply stating right/left lane closed ahead and perhaps another saying merge left/right. When you encounter these signs it is your responsibility (not to mention the law), to merge as soon as it is safe to do so.

That does not mean put the pedal to the metal in the lane that is about to close and pass all the folks that are complying with warning/instruction to move over and vacated the lane that is soon to close. The "people" that do this know they are jumping the line so to speak. They are self absorbed enough to think they simply do not need to wait/take their appropriate turn and properly merge.

All to often these "people" underestimate how quickly the lane closes out and they find themselves flying by the slowing traffic with no place to go. No problem for them, they just slam on the brakes and jam in at the last possible moment. Then they show up on Forums like this one trying to justify their behavior but anyone with an IQ above their shoe size knows what is really happening.

Methinks my new Dash camera is going to make me rich one of these days.... :B

There is no "Law" that dictates merging at the first sign announcing a lane closure ahead. I would respectfully challenge anyone to show reference to it.

I have seen lane closure notices posted as many as five miles in advance and people lining up in the continuing lane with truckers blocking traffic miles from the merge point. This is against the law and called impeding traffic in every state. This truly could be considered "moronic" behavior.

The example the OP relates has nothing to do with where the merge takes place but rather illustrates how oblivious some drivers are to existing conditions.