MN is passing a law to fine left lane drivers

dhull wrote:
You are right. Guess I missed seeing the removal of yield signs for an implied merge. Problem is someone needs to stand on while the other merges, just like in boating. You can't force a merge. Stupid change, when I learned to drive you were to yield upon enering a highway. But back then a yellow light meant clear the inersection not gun it.

Calling it a "yield" causes issues, at least according to Oregon's definition of what a driver is supposed to do at a yield sign:

Oregon Revised Statutes wrote:
Yield signs. A driver approaching a yield sign shall slow the driver’s vehicle to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if necessary for safety, shall stop at a line as required for stop signs under this section, and shall yield the right of way to any vehicles in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Stopping at the end of an on-ramp is about the worst thing a driver could do and shouldn't be encouraged.

They are supposed to yield the right of way to traffic on the highway, which is slightly different and can be ticketed for not doing it.

troubledwaters wrote:
It's incumbent upon the driver merging into traffic to do so safely. First and foremost I try to ensure they have adequate space, I will adjust my speed reasonably, and/or move over to accommodate them when I can. But absent the ability to do either of those, I let them make their own decisions. They can speed up, slow down, hit their brakes, run into the ditch, or hit me; whatever they want, I don't care. But in 48 years of driving I have never had one hit me; they have all taken one of the other choices.

You have it except for one item. You are obliged not to change speed.

It's the merging vehicles responsibility to find an opening to merge but if you start changing your speed, they can't determine if it's a safe gap to merge into.

Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever just cruise up the right lane with the cruise control on and come up behind a slower vehicle, swing out to pass only to have that sucker attain your speed and hold you out there?

Most people don't realize in PA it is a VIOLATION to speed up while being overtaken. You are required to maintain or slow while a vehicle is actively passing you.

I believe the intent is more for smaller roads with Pass when clear dashed lines.

I did call a company number on a truck a few years ago. I81 northbound from Richmond to Winchester. Left lane no passing, no merging SOB had more than 40 vehicle lined up.

I told the company the driver had better learn to heed the laws in PA where not only was it extremely rude and hazardous to back up traffic, he is required by law to move right unless overtaking a vehicle.

"He needs to be retrained or removed from the road"

Anyone familiar with this area knows it is about a 4 hr stretch of long uphill (mostly) traffic. A handful of idiots can make it a 6 hr drive. If traffic flows, you can have long periods of gentle, easy going driving regardless of the speed you choose.

Bottom line: If you're going to pass, get it done. If you can't or won't, get over to the right. Simple. ;)

The party that needs to yield is the party that is intending to merge. Those already on the highway have the right to continue, unimpeded. In Maryland it is called the "Boulevard Rule". The rule is the same across the US, but different states call it different names.

Merging onto a highway shouldn't require a sign and instructions at every interchange, it should have been taught in basic drivers ed and practiced every time you merge onto the highway.

You are right. Guess I missed seeing the removal of yield signs for an implied merge. Problem is someone needs to stand on while the other merges, just like in boating. You can't force a merge. Stupid change, when I learned to drive you were to yield upon enering a highway. But back then a yellow light meant clear the inersection not gun it.

Yep, what he said. ^^^^^

dhull wrote:
I can't remember the last time I saw a yield sign on an entrance ramp, they have all been removed. If there's no sign to yield why should they yield? Put the dang signs back!

The are not supposed to Yield, You and him are required to Merge. Big difference.

I can't remember the last time I saw a yield sign on an entrance ramp, they have all been removed. If there's no sign to yield why should they yield? Put the dang signs back!

ulvik wrote:
Good! Should be enforced in every state!!!!!

You exaggerate so badly!! 63 in the left lane that’s 73 minimum.do less they will cut you off throw things out the window. Put your blinker on? That lets the person behind you know you want to change lanes, it also means someone else will be in front of them.....so they speed up and do not let you over. You guys think I’m joking? Speed up lane to enter a highway? On Long Island people speed up to RUN you off the road.my wife and I are presently prepping to full time. I have had enough, grown children or not were done. It’s sooo bad we had a spring storm that dumped snow last week. I was plowing a major hwy with my buddy in front of me I was plowing behind him handing off to another truck. I had one tune pass me me on the left at like 60 swerve and cut in front of me like a cop would do.
I guess the sight of a 10 foot blade and a 10 wheeler bearing down on him made him realize he watched to much tv cause I wasn’t stopping.

rhagfo wrote:

CavemanCharlie wrote:

azrving wrote:

NCC-1701 wrote:
Left lane driving is extremely common and somewhat annoying. But, I'd rather they put about a $1000 fine on the huge percentage of the population that doesn't seem to know that when they come down an entrance ramp they are supposed to actually look and time themselves in instead of blindly coming down the ramp and assuming everyone can or should get out of their way. A number of times I've had drivers somehow not see my 40' motorhome and almost pull off the ramp right into me and I couldn't get over because of traffic on the other side of me. :M

X2
Those morons dont remember the part of the driving test that said merge smoothly. They believe you are supposed to get out of their way. They ride along side my 63 feet of rig until they are on the shoulder then drop back and accelerate the way they could have and go flying around me on the left. Unbelievable number of idiots out there.

You know you could take the cruse control off and slow done 2 MPH and let the guy merge in front of you. Courtesy goes both ways.

That doesn’t always work!
About the time you slow so do they and same with speeding up. Too many drivers don’t understand mergiging putt down an on ramp at 35 to 40 then try to get to 70 in the last
50 feet, this includes those that find themselves at the rear tires of a semi, and instead of slowing just a bit, they try to race to pass that semi.

It's incumbent upon the driver merging into traffic to do so safely. First and foremost I try to ensure they have adequate space, I will adjust my speed reasonably, and/or move over to accommodate them when I can. But absent the ability to do either of those, I let them make their own decisions. They can speed up, slow down, hit their brakes, run into the ditch, or hit me; whatever they want, I don't care. But in 48 years of driving I have never had one hit me; they have all taken one of the other choices.