Maybe it is time to stop changing to the left lane for cars entering the interstate

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by A Bug, Nov 27, 2022.

  1. aussiejosh

    aussiejosh Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2009
    Messages:
    4,709
    Thanks Received:
    5,409
    Location:
    Airlie Beach QLd
    0
    Yes I can still remember my first experience driving on the US freeways system and that's the first thing I picked up on, what are those folks doing? But after a while I got used to seeing this and just assumed folks were being that much extra careful to avoid an incident, which kind of makes sense, but in fact you are not required to yield or give way to merging traffic, and it also creates a risk if your trying merge into the far left lane for the vehicle entering the freeway too. Sometimes I would do so myself other times not it just depended on the circumstance, I'm certainly not going to merge into the far left lane and cause an incident just so some car can get back onto the freeway. Let them stop if they have to, if fact most on ramps should have a sign up saying yield / give way to freeway traffic.
     
  2. H827OUT

    H827OUT Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2018
    Messages:
    56
    Thanks Received:
    97
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    0
    I couldn’t agree more. This skill is so basic and so critical to everyone’s safety. I can’t believe it’s not taught anywhere basic driving skills are learned. I may be wrong but I don’t think it’s tested for on any state DMV/BMV written driving tests.
    The merge-right of way rule should be reinforced with a consistent signage campaign on federal, state, county highways and roads. Overkill? Perhaps so. But, for a society so reliant on motor travel this chronic dysfunction is inexcusable.
    With common sense being in fairly short supply these days way too many merge situations can become an adventure or worse…
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 16, 2022
    Reason for edit: Fixed quote
  3. dunchues

    dunchues Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    544
    Thanks Received:
    956
    Location:
    new brunswick
    0
    In Europe they call it an acceleration or deceleration lane, I'm sure it's better than on and off ramp if an individual has the capacity to actually think about it but not many seem to. I hold my lane and speed and it fine if a car wants to go in front or behind me, but I've got this space.
     
  4. mustang190

    mustang190 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    Messages:
    2,846
    Thanks Received:
    6,115
    Location:
    Florida Panhandle
    0
    It’s called an Acceleration Lane for a reason.
     
  5. SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    4,897
    Thanks Received:
    16,806
    0
    I put a Tesla into a guardrail years ago trying to get me to stop and let them in. I was fully loaded, doing 60 and had a truck to my left. The Tesla can do 0-60 in like 3 seconds but insisted that I stop or get over to let them into my lane. When I refused, they ran out of road and hit the guardrail. They called CHP and reported me for hit and run. Cops pulled me over 30 minutes later and I explained my side. Told the cops to check for damage on the Tesla from my truck and they will find there is none, and to check the Tesla on-board cameras which are standard equipment, and they'll see who is telling the truth. Never heard back from the driver or the CHP.
     
  6. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2007
    Messages:
    5,642
    Thanks Received:
    13,471
    Location:
    Possum Booger, Alabama
    0
    I am completely sick of morons that come down the ramp and then hang at my passenger door, expecting that I will move over. So much so, that I've thought of having some vinyl made for my passenger door saying something like...

    Getting on the highway?
    USE YOUR ####ING GAS PEDAL!
     
  7. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2013
    Messages:
    10,663
    Thanks Received:
    45,730
    Location:
    SW Arkansas
    0
    I've had trucks like that. The issue I had was coming down a mountain grade with the Jake on. And the brake lights on. I came around a curve and traffic was almost stopped. Because the brake lights were already on the guy behind me didn't slow down enough a #### near hit me. Following a little too close? Yep. but still i would have been in an accident. If the brake lights had not already been on, the idiot may have slowed when he should have.
    Now I drive an International and the factory set it up so the jake dos not come on when you let off of the gas. You have the actually step on the brake to get it to come on. Terrible.
     
    MACK E-6, kylefitzy and Lonesome Thank this.
  8. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2010
    Messages:
    10,826
    Thanks Received:
    12,662
    Location:
    california norte
    0
    The '21 Pete I drive is similar to that only when the cruise control is on; the speed control is off, but the cruise is on and ready for Set or Resume, letting off the go pedal will not engage the jakes. I would have to hit the brakes to engage the jakes or turn off the cruise control and it reverts back to simply letting off the go pedal to engage the jakes at that point.
     
  9. PaulMinternational

    PaulMinternational Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2022
    Messages:
    1,108
    Thanks Received:
    5,585
    0
    This right here shows your attitude and in my opinion it’s not good as well your understanding of traffic flow and right of way is very flawed!
    You have claimed to yell at folks on the cb and appear like like you think your some tuff guy that wants to also respond with a fist? I would welcome you to try as your stupid tactic of doing 50 in a 65 and then hitting the brakes to let everyone on the highway is causing tremendous build up of traffic behind you that your not even aware of for no reason. Those people you are giving way to are now expecting it and never learning the part about properly merging and then becoming part of the problem.
    You state you wouldn’t want or let someone drive your truck if you knew they were holding a steady speed and giving people entering the most predictable scenario to merge with? Seems like you are actually one of the problems on the road and I for one wouldn’t want to drive any of your trucks but surely wouldn’t let you drive mine considering the mayhem you have been creating behind you for most likely years.

    One of the biggest contributors to poor merging is those who surrender right away to the merger by large margins rather than a slight slowing or speeding that is both predictable and perceivable by the merging vehickle!
    If your dropping 10, 15, or more to let someone merge your the issue!

    By the way Be a fool and shout at at me on the CB with threats anytime you want but be aware I always respond in kind, have always willingly offered to pull over at the first availiable spot for those who think they are tuff guys and always will. So be prepared to be humbled!
     
    Elroythekid and Val_Caldera Thank this.
  10. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2021
    Messages:
    2,569
    Thanks Received:
    7,935
    Location:
    TARHEEL
    0
    You sound nice.