Another driving thread

[bob in texas]

Ok, we have talked about the fast lane, the slow go at the light, but we have yet to address the SLOW MERGE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.

Where I live we have interstate hi-ways that are only 2 lanes each side, the fast (left) lane and the slower right lane. I can't tell you how many times the driver coming on the hi-way wants to merge only doing 40 or 45 mph (posted speed limit is 75), I try to move left and the fast lane is running 80 to 85.

I was taught if you going to merge get up to speed matching or exceeding the speed to where you are merging. I watch ahead and move left if possible to avoid the slow merging driver.

Nothing like trying to avoid the merging vehicle while making sure you don't cause a wreck doing so.

Bob

 

[Sevens]

Here in central Ohio (and likely other parts of Ohio) we have a system that I named "the cross of death" whereby those entering the expressway and those exiting the expressway get to cross paths.

It's very much like the Figure-8 school bus races they used to air on ESPN-2.

 

[LVSteve]

Coming from the UK I've identified many reasons for this.

1) Many Americans seem to have been raised with the idea that more than 2k rpm will destroy an engine in short order. Ergo, fear prevents them from accelerating at the required rate

2) Many Americans also seem to believe that if they can hear any induction or exhaust sound, they will get a ticket for "a demonstration of speed" or whatever it is called in your state.

3) Too many American are "Stop Sign" indoctrinated, and cannot understand yields, roundabouts and, of course, merging. These things involve driving the car with anticipation of what is going on. Anticipation involves continually looking around and being situational aware of other things happening on the road. The Stop Sign drivers want things to happen sequentially, doing stuff in parallel is beyond them.

4) Too many drivers all over the world believe that a turn signal showing buys them rights. They are members of GABB, the God Almighty Blinker Brigade. I hear phrases like "respect the blinker". That's fine if the lead up to the blinker also shows respect and awareness, otherwise, bite me.

5) Depending on your state, folk may be required to move out of the right lane to let the slow mergers on. I've had to explain to visitors from other states (especially the Midwest) that all on ramps here are yields, and you are expected to get on it. Unhappiness follows.

6) The design of many US freeways is appalling. The "cross of death" is far too prevalent, and many freeway exits are too close together because the locals scream "access". Also, the designers put maddening kinks in on ramps so you have to be looking ahead when you really need to be looking in your mirrors or over your shoulder.

There is no excuse for the 45 mph merge. We in America have access to cars, trucks and SUVs with performance unimagined 25 years ago. Sadly, our driver training is still 40 years behind.

 

[NYlakesider]

Ok, we have talked about the fast lane, the slow go at the light, but we have yet to address the SLOW MERGE TO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.

Where I live we have interstate hi-ways that are only 2 lanes each side, the fast (left) lane and the slower right lane. I can't tell you how many times the driver coming on the hi-way wants to merge only doing 40 or 45 mph (posted speed limit is 75), I try to move left and the fast lane is running 80 to 85.

I was taught if you going to merge get up to speed matching or exceeding the speed to where you are merging. I watch ahead and move left if possible to avoid the slow merging driver.

Nothing like trying to avoid the merging vehicle while making sure you don't cause a wreck doing so.

Bob

Been in a few interesting situations due to that (bolded)
May not be legal but I have found that is better to be much faster if you are the one merging if the traffic is heavy. You have your speed up you can control the situation.

I have followed a few cretins that go half hearted up the ramp get almost to the highway and slam on their brakes. That means normally you have to wait till they get the perfect situation to slowly move into traffic and of course puts you and anyone behind you in the same predicament.

Have been caught behind the breaking vechicle and the easiest but not exactly legal method of getting out of that is to stand on the gas and go around the "sleeper" on the right get your speed up and do a quick merge.

Years of street racing and doing a little stock car driving sometimes kicks in, hey you do what you got to do.+ having a big engine under the hood is a bonus.

 

[Beemerguy53]

We have very lax standards for licensing drivers in this country, compared to many others. Couple that with the folklore and misinformation that people hear and spread (usually in order to justify their own bad driving behavior) and the result is the state of anarchy we see on our highways today.

 

[bob in texas]

Did someone say ROUNDABOUT ???? I have no problem with roundabouts, but a lot of drivers do.

My only question about them is why is one in the middle of no where in eastern Kansas ?? On hi-way 59 or 169 I don't remember which but it was a surprise to come upon it there, I guess the 4 way stop or yield sign was to much of a wait.

Bob

 

[bigwheelzip]

Did someone say ROUNDABOUT ????

Hey, as long as we're picking on oddball highway designs used in the middle of nowhere, I nominate the road dips into stream beds seen on some Texas roads.
Cruising along an arrow straight rural road at highway speed, when all of a sudden the road drops several feet into and out of a stream bed. Little to no clear signage to warn the driver this is about to happen, and sometimes water, rocks, and gravel in the road.





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[bob in texas]

I have never encountered that on any roads here in Texas, but I imagine some of the county roads probably have that. Some are only dirt / mud depending on rain fall.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I have never encountered that on any roads here in Texas, but I imagine some of the county roads probably have that. Some are only dirt / mud depending on rain fall.

Good riddance if they are gone now. First one we encountered was 1983 on the way to Big Bend National Park from the north via a good asphalt road. Only signage was a tall water depth gauge, next to the road at the lower level, nothing on the approach.
Only luck kept that encounter from turning bad.


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[old bear]

It appears that the driving ability and common courtesy of many drivers has decreased over the years. This may be do to the number of "new drivers' as well as ageing of many drivers, this is to include myself. But I find it very Frustrating, and at times downright dangerous.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I noticed here around Pittsburgh that people use the brake pedal more than the gas pedal when merging. Personally I like to gun it then make sure I'm going faster than the truck coming up so I don't become an obituary recipient. Ya need to work them cylinders once in a while! You don't need all that horsepower in a real car all the time, but it's nice to know you got it when you want it.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[30-30remchester]

Said it before but needs repeating. With nearly 2 million miles under my belt and possessing every driving license available I have some experience and opinions. First and foremost, for the sake of all that is good and kind. If you see someone trying to merge let them in. Most people haven't taken a driving test since they were 16 years old. Lots of changes and extra traffic since then. There are 2 things you can never tell anyone as they know EVERYTHING. Those are how to handle a gun and the other is how to drive. Been doing it for decades and ain't anyone going to give me advise. Sound familiar? For those that are slow mergers, they are causing problems and danger for others. When they started driving most likely there weren't nearly as many people on the road and it wasn't as big of a deal then. Learned that way and never did any further education. All drivers could benefit from regular public service announcement on the radio
on proper road etiquette and refresher tips on driving in the new world.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Never had a problem merging at any speed over the speed limit. Just have to remind myself that it is just as good to merge behind the other vehicle as in front - whichever is easiest. MA has a lot of aggressive driving and a lot of following too closely, but I have never experienced a problem with a high-speed merge.

 

[Tom S.]

Here in central Ohio (and likely other parts of Ohio) we have a system that I named "the cross of death" whereby those entering the expressway and those exiting the expressway get to cross paths.

It's very much like the Figure-8 school bus races they used to air on ESPN-2.

I believe you are referring to "diverging diamonds":

I also believe they were designed by a collision shop owner.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Here in Arkansas and Oklahoma many of the on ramps are just to short.
This is especially true for loaded trucks they either have to crowd their
way onto the right lane or drive on the shoulder to reach the posted
speed. It seems a lot of drivers take some perverted joy in not letting
a truck merge.
Don't get me started on some of the rural round abouts, first of all most
are to small in diameter to accommodate 53 ft trailers or even bob
trucks with a long wheelbase. And out in the boonies the size of the
round shouldn't be a problem.

 

[arjay]

I believe you are referring to "diverging diamonds":

I also believe they were designed by a collision shop owner.

They built one in my old hood a few years ago. It works quite well at keeping traffic moving.No left turns in the same plane as through traffic.ingenious!

 

[bob in texas]

I believe you are referring to "diverging diamonds":

I also believe they were designed by a collision shop owner.

I have encountered only one of these, it was in the town I grew up in, a couple years ago when I was there for my sister's funeral. I was so confused by it I almost caused an accident, IMO worst road design I have ever seen in my 50+ years of driving.
I made sure to never drove that hi-way again.

Bob

 

[ladder13]

I'd love to follow some around with a video recorder.

 

[arjay]

I have encountered only one of these, it was in the town I grew up in, a couple years ago when I was there for my sister's funeral. I was so confused by it I almost caused an accident, IMO worst road design I have ever seen in my 50+ years of driving.
I made sure to never drove that hi-way again.

Bob

It's like a roundabout. A few times through it and it's old hat ;-)