Two Lanes Merging into One (Page 4): Yes, idiots.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PhotogHobbyist wrote:

What irritates the **** out of me is when traffic is to merge into the right lane and the idiots that race up the berm and avoid either the left or right lane.

Yes, idiots.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

PhotogHobbyist wrote:

What irritates the **** out of me is when traffic is to merge into the right lane and the idiots that race up the berm and avoid either the left or right lane.

Saw a guy do that once.
A cop car was parked on the shoulder ahead of him.......

Gotta love Karma!

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Longshadow wrote:

Well, wherever the "merge point" is located there will always be a problem.
Close, far, in-between.
There always is a "merge point", that's where the 2nd lane goes away...

When there is a designated merge point, which is ALWAYS at the end of the merging lanes, there is no problem. People have no problem letting every other car in at the merge point. No one cuts in line because both lines move at exactly an equal pace. There needs to be signs specifically instructing people to use both lanes and merge at the merge point. For some ungodly reason, road crews in PA seldom use these signs. I think they like people fighting over lanes.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

jerryc41 wrote:

You've all seen this situation. Two lanes are mer... (show quote)

Totally wrong. People should use both lanes until the merge point. If the lane is empty and someone uses it until they get to the merge point they’re doing the right thing. If you’re blocking the lane you’re wrong.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

neillaubenthal wrote:

The zipper merge is a far superior idea as far as traffic management goes. The trouble with getting over early is that…well…a lot of people are just inconsiderate a-holes and will drive up the now empty lane to the front because they're too special to wait. Zipper merge alleviates this issue…as does blocking them with your RAM 5500HD and 40 foot fifth wheel RV back when we lived in it full time and traveled.

Why are they inconsiderate assholes? They’re using the lane as intended. As you stated yourself.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BigDaddy wrote:

When there is a designated merge point, which is ALWAYS at the end of the merging lanes, there is no problem. People have no problem letting every other car in at the merge point. No one cuts in line because both lines move at exactly an equal pace. There needs to be signs specifically instructing people to use both lanes and merge at the merge point. For some ungodly reason, road crews in PA seldom use these signs. I think they like people fighting over lanes.

Yea, not necessary for common sense to come into play at all.
And how many will merge and how many will keep the space in front of them closed?

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

SuperflyTNT wrote:

Totally wrong. People should use both lanes until the merge point. If the lane is empty and someone uses it until they get to the merge point they’re doing the right thing. If you’re blocking the lane you’re wrong.

You are exactly right. However, as many have noted common sense is not a common trait. The majority of people are "kind" and think it's rude to use both lanes. So what happens is a bunch of "kind/considerate" folks use one lane, a few rude "me only" people use the other lane and the battle begins as the "kind/considerate" folks become mean and nasty, blocking the 2nd land from merging.

ALL this is simple human nature and unless signs are posted giving clear instructions on the proper way to merge, then the crazyness is on.

To insure the battles rage, instead of proper merging signs, the road crews simply state stuff like "right lane closed ahead." This seems to instruct the "kind/considerate" folks to merge right now which is the start of all the problems.

Harold Stetson Loc: Marquam 97038

I hate traveling on the freeway in the center lane and I am closer than I want to be to the car in front. The cars pass on the right and try to crowd in and do. Some force their way in like they just don't care if there is an accident. I follow closer than I want to and yet they do it and crowd in. The merging of these cars and 18 wheelers passing slows the whole freeway where we would all get there sooner if a little courtesy was used. Every time we see a multi car pill up like 43 cars in a crash ask one another. "You don't suppose they were following too close". I did a bunch of safe driving courses in the military and the recommended car lengths to follow at is a pipe dream in reality. People don't know how to merge and they don't know how to negotiate a 4 way stop. Being too courtious there screws the whole thing up. When it's your turn take it.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BigDaddy wrote:

...
To insure the battles rage, instead of proper merging signs, the road crews simply state stuff like "right lane closed ahead." This seems to instruct the "kind/considerate" folks to merge right now which is the start of all the problems.

Yes, everyone should continue to use the left lane until the last minute.
Then try to squeeze in.

ONCE I saw a "Left Lane Closed 1 Mile" sign on an interstate. ODDLY, everyone started merging at THAT sigh. By the time we got to the actual closure, there was NO BACKUP. Traffic was running at normal speed.
ONCE!

It's PEOPLE, not the signs that cause the problem.........

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Yes, everyone should continue to use the left lane until the last minute.
Then try to squeeze in.

ONCE I saw a "Left Lane Closed 1 Mile" sign on an interstate. ODDLY, everyone started merging at THAT sigh. By the time we got to the actual closure, there was NO BACKUP. Traffic was running at normal speed.
ONCE!

It's PEOPLE, not the signs that cause the problem.........

As soon as I know a lane will be closed, I move over, if necessary.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Longshadow wrote:

Yes, everyone should continue to use the left lane until the last minute.
Then try to squeeze in.

ONCE I saw a "Left Lane Closed 1 Mile" sign on an interstate. ODDLY, everyone started merging at THAT sigh. By the time we got to the actual closure, there was NO BACKUP. Traffic was running at normal speed.
ONCE!

It's PEOPLE, not the signs that cause the problem.........

It's the lack of proper signage that cause people to have problems. When the signage is clear, people have no problems.

Mduffy910 Loc: Michigan

AzPicLady wrote:

I was on a freeway that had a closure, and they used a "zipper" effect on traffic. Worked like a charm! No one got upset because the other lane was barging in and both lanes moved nicely.

The State DOTs actually design the merge lanes to work this way, and they do call it the Zipper process. It will work if people aren't idiots. This is the way it's supposed to work.

Guy in thru lane let's one car in, goes on in lane, the next guy let's one car in, goes on in lane, the next guy let's one car in, and so on. Open up one space in front of you to let one car in, nice and smooth. Unfortunately there are too many people that won't let that happen and that's what causes the delays. The people who race up in the open lane think they should just be able to cut in anywhere, if they are polite about it most of us in the thru lane that read the sign a mile back and did the right thing, will let them in. The creeps that try to bully their way in don't get much help or respect for their behavior. The people who moved over 2 miles ago don't want to let anyone in. I get that, but we in the thru lane control how the process works. Make it smooth and we all get through the jam sooner...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

As soon as I know a lane will be closed, I move over, if necessary.

Amazing how simple that is, eh?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BigDaddy wrote:

It's the lack of proper signage that cause people to have problems. When the signage is clear, people have no problems.

SOME people do.!.!
They barrel up the closing lane to get ahead of others....

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Longshadow wrote:

Amazing how simple that is, eh?

Not the most efficient method. Better to stay in your lane until the merge. Especially if you’re gonna get pissed of at the people doing it right and do stupid stuff like block the lane.