merge

[NJT 5573]

I see these signs everywhere. Does anyone know how to do it.  Who is supposed to do what and when?

[captain ron]

You are supposed to speed up in the lane that has to merge then try to get past as many cars as you can and stay in that lane till the last minute and try to force your way in front of that irate truck driver that has been on the road for 2 days. He will resist then you must try to force your way in behind him but the car behind him saw you and is riding his bumper and now there are 20 jackasses just like you behind you doing the same thing until now there is a bottle neck that could have been avoided by just slipping into an open spot when you first saw the sign that said merge.     Does that sound right?

[gumpy]

That's a pretty accurate description. You must have copied it from the Minnesota driver's manual.

[bobofthenorth]

The only thing you forgot was the part about driving along the shoulder for at least 1/2 a mile all the while trailing your train of like minded inconsiderate a-holes. 

And then you forgot to mention the dipsh** who finally stops the moving lane and lets about 5 of your kind in.  What's that all about?  Thats the part I can never understand.   

[H3Jim]

I thought that was part of the California driving manual, must be all the states - although cal and new Jersey are the worst.

When driving the bus, I always am looking ahead for merging cars and trucks and change my speed and lane accordingly. Anything to avoid stab braking.  I can generally count on the cars doing stupid things.

The above is done as a practical manner.  I think you might have been asking about the legal requirements.  I have seen a highway patrol give someone  a ticket for not allowing them to merge - ie follow so closely the merging car has to speed up (or is that drop back).  Maybe Phil or someone in law enforcement can comment here.

Driving my bus with this habit helps me drive a car better too.

[HighTechRedneck]

Excerpt from page 55 of theTennessee Drivers Manual:

When approaching a MERGE onto a busy highway or
Interstate you must increase or decrease speed as needed
to avoid an accident and yield the right-of-way if
necessary to the oncoming traffic.

While this is specific to an onramp situation, I believe it is the same for merging lanes.  The drivers ed instructor I learned from (granted it was a number of years ago) taught that in any merge situation, the merging vehicle had to yield to the traffic flow they are merging in to.

[HighTechRedneck]

Another excerpt from page 108 of the Tennessee drivers manual relating to construction related lane merges:

Merge as soon as possible. Motorists can help maintain
traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate
lane at first notice of an approaching work zone.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

I thought that was part of the California driving manual, must be all the states - although cal and new Jersey are the worst.

When driving the bus, I always am looking ahead for merging cars and trucks and change my speed and lane accordingly. Anything to avoid stab braking. I can generally count on the cars doing stupid things.

The above is done as a practical manner. I think you might have been asking about the legal requirements. I have seen a highway patrol give someone a ticket for not allowing them to merge - ie follow so closely the merging car has to speed up (or is that drop back). Maybe Phil or someone in law enforcement can comment here.

Driving my bus with this habit helps me drive a car better too.

Jim,

Except New Jersey Has Traffic Circles,  You have to MERGE multipal times at 1 intersection. "up to 7"

Nick-

[edvanland]

Another way to look at it is the vehicles your have to merge with are smaller than you they will most likely yeld to you (HAHA) but don't count on it.  Me I take it easy and wait my turn.  I think the merge factor is in all the drivers licenses instructions in all states, it is just most people do use common sense. 
So when merging put on your turn signals and blindfolds and go for it.  That is a joke PLEASE don't do it.
DRIVE SAFE, maby get there a little later but safe.
ED
MCI 7

[John E. Smith]

The problem is that, as a "cost cutting" measure, most states took the Yield signs off of ramps (or they were knocked down and never replaced) -- and the stupid 4-wheelers figured that they didn't have to yield anymore!  I have gotten cussed out a couple of times -- dumb lady told me that I was supposed to let her in!

On a related topic -- does anyone know how to change lanes on a California freeway?

Hit your blinker, let it blink 3 times, then move -- if anyone was there, they shouldn't have been.

[bobofthenorth]

We went through Edmonton one summer pulling the boat.  My son was behind us in the car.  We were on the radio all the way.  Whenever I needed to change lanes he would move in and block traffic.  He thought it was a big joke & it worked great for me.  It was his first summer with his license - in fact he may have still had his learner's license.  He still talks about that trip.

[John E. Smith]

That was one of the things I liked about running Heavy Haul when I was trucking -- I always had an escort car back there to "make a hole" for me when I needed to change lanes!  In fact, a lot of times I had one in front of me to clear the way, too!

The really nice ones were the times when I was considered a "Super Load" -- the one in front was a State Trooper!

[Busted Knuckle]

Excerpt from page 55 of theTennessee Drivers Manual:

When approaching a MERGE onto a busy highway or
Interstate you must increase or decrease speed as needed
to avoid an accident and yield the right-of-way if
necessary to the oncoming traffic.

While this is specific to an onramp situation, I believe it is the same for merging lanes.  The drivers ed instructor I learned from (granted it was a number of years ago) taught that in any merge situation, the merging vehicle had to yield to the traffic flow they are merging in to.

Yeah I know all about this! But I yelled as loud as I could an that women still hit me! & The cop WROTE ME a ticket for not yellding, again I told him I yelled as loud as I could. But he musta had a hard time hearing me like she did! I guess it's that little bitty window bus drivers have! Dang it!   BK