Controversial topic of the day. Driving, you're doing it wrong.

#1
McDad

McDad

I can't brain today; I has the dumb.
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#1
For all of you like me who get irate at drivers who see the same "lane closed ahead" sign as everyone else but continue to stay in the lane only to merge at the point of closure, here's a bombshell.

Zipper Merge:
Traffic experts largely agree that the best way to combine two busy lanes is a technique called the zipper merge. Drivers use both lanes until just before one ends, then merge like the teeth of a zipper coming together: one from this side, one from that side, hopefully with minimal slowdown.

We've been wrong all these years. Our blocking the lane preventing from them from using the dead lane is bad behavior. Our tail gating to prevent them merging in is bad behavior. You are causing more problems by taking these actions.
 
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#5
#5
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#6
#6
McDad said:
I bet all of you do the speed limit in the fast lane and NEVER move to the right lane.
Click to expand...

There was a time when stubborn drivers in the left lane were so prevalent in North Carolina, the practice was termed "tar heelin'" in neighboring states. Once, a native of North Carolina explained it to me. He drove his old pickup at 50 mph in the left lane because "it runs best at 50; any faster 'n' it don't drive right" and "I'm not getting off for a few exits; I don't want to be bothered by those gettin' on and off; I'm a through driver; I'm stayin' left until it's my time to get off."
 
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#7
#7
Tin Man said:
There was a time when stubborn drivers in the left lane were so prevalent in North Carolina, the practice was termed "tar heelin'" in neighboring states. Once, a native of North Carolina explained it to me. He drove his old pickup at 50 mph in the left lane because "it runs best at 50; any faster 'n' it don't drive right" and "I'm not getting off for a few exits; I don't want to be bothered by those gettin' on and off; I'm a through driver; I'm stayin' left until it's my time to get off."
Click to expand...
It's at moments such as now, I consider how the death penalty isn't used enough. Tar heelin gets you a one way pass to the chair.
 
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#13
#13
McDad said:
For all of you like me who get irate at drivers who see the same "lane closed ahead" sign as everyone else but continue to stay in the lane only to merge at the point of closure, here's a bombshell.

Zipper Merge:
Traffic experts largely agree that the best way to combine two busy lanes is a technique called the zipper merge. Drivers use both lanes until just before one ends, then merge like the teeth of a zipper coming together: one from this side, one from that side, hopefully with minimal slowdown.

We've been wrong all these years. Our blocking the lane preventing from them from using the dead lane is bad behavior. Our tail gating to prevent them merging in is bad behavior. You are causing more problems by taking these actions.
Click to expand...
I’m willing to do it, if it’s enforced. There needs to be signage explaining what’s going on plus people (in and out of official vehicles) making it happen. It obviously works better than the current mess, but I’m not up for volunteering to be the next target of road rage.

Otherwise, my goal in these sitcheeashuns is to pass as many big-ass 18-wheelers as possible before the actual merge.
 
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#14
#14
In Germany, obtaining a drivers license involves considerably more training than the US. A decade ago, German friends made the same assertion as the OP. The proper thing is to move forward in your lane to join the queue of vehicles “zippering” into the continuing lane. Do not stop, creating gaps in the queue. Do not attempt to merge into the continuing lane ahead of the “zipper.” Those in the continuing lane should allow merging in an alternating pattern. Do not attempt to crowd out or block those needing to merge.

Coda: Those in the longer queue of the continuing lane should not jump into the ending lane in an attempt to move forward of other traffic during the “zipper.” Doing so can provoke resentment, even violence.
 
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#15
#15
Also, the left lane is not the "fast lane" or "passing lane" on surface streets and roads. The only "fast lanes" are on multi lane highways, freeways and beltways. So you can't get mad at that person not moving over for you when they are going 35 in a 45. You'll have to go around or be patient. They have as much right to that lane as you do.
 
#16
#16
VolInNorthCack said:
Also, the left lane is not the "fast lane" or "passing lane" on surface streets and roads. The only "fast lanes" are on multi lane highways, freeways and beltways. So you can't get mad at that person not moving over for you when they are going 35 in a 45. You'll have to go around or be patient. They have as much right to that lane as you do.
Click to expand...

Common practice and most law on United States highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake.
The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states:
Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...​
 
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#17
#17
VolNExile said:
I’m willing to do it, if it’s enforced. There needs to be signage explaining what’s going on plus people (in and out of official vehicles) making it happen. It obviously works better than the current mess, but I’m not up for volunteering to be the next target of road rage.

Otherwise, my goal in these sitcheeashuns is to pass as many big-ass 18-wheelers as possible before the actual merge.
Click to expand...
I think the point is, once we learn the best method, those who are knowledgeable should try to adhere to best practices. Over time, we can improve as a driving society. At least until self driving cars are the norm and computers will make the best decision for us.
I agree with you that DOT has not done a good job teaching and reinforcing best methods.
 
#18
#18
McDad said:
Common practice and most law on United States highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake.
The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states:
Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...​
Click to expand...
Interesting. Then the nice North Carolina State Trooper who told me this the other day must be ill-informed.
 
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#19
#19
VolInNorthCack said:
Interesting. Then the nice North Carolina State Trooper who told me this the other day must be ill-informed.
Click to expand...
Possibly. Although each state has jurisdiction on the state roads and can have a policy which isn't shared by other states.
 
#20
#20
It shouldn’t be that difficult. Don’t drive slow and camp out in the left lane. Move to the right if you want to be a pokey driver. Don’t pass cars on the right. Don’t tailgate - especially when the car in front of you is going as fast as the car in front of them or when they are in the right lane.
 
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