I was told today that cars on a exspressway were required by law to make sure that the cars coming onto to road from an entrance ramp were alowed to merge. My point of veiw was that the on ramp traffic had the signs that say to merge or yield and that it was their responcibility to do it safely even if they had to stop and wait. Also if it was the exspressway traffics responcibility they would have the signs that say to merge,not just a sign saying "merging traffic: Just who is that is suppose to merge?n

 

State laws will vary. Here the yield sign is facing the on rampers (the drivers coming up on the entry ramp) . They must yield to the on going flow and merge in. It is common courtesy for the flowing traffic to move over and let the on rampers merge in, but sometimes there is no open lane to the left to get over in. . But as we all know, traffic is getting so heavy today, the on rampers dont merge in, they shove themselves in.

 

Up here
Merge means you better be most careful when attempting to gain lane access on the throughfare
It is a courtesy to move over a lane to allow merging vehicles onto the roadway.

If traffic is so heavy that is makes it impossible to move over,then both the merging vehicle and the occupants of the right hand travelling lane should operate their vehicles accordingly.

Drive Defensively all the time.


I'll check your highway traffic act.

http://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina...r-vehicles.php

 

Okay, I found this.

0-140.3. Unlawful use of National System of Interstate and Defense Highways
and other controlled-access highways.

On those sections of highways which are or become a part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other controlled-access highways, it shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) To drive a vehicle over, upon, or across any curb, central dividing
section or other separation or dividing line on said highways.

(2) To make a left turn or a semicircular or U-turn except through an
opening provided for that purpose in the dividing curb, separation
section, or line on said highways.

(3) To drive any vehicle except in the proper lane provided for that purpose
and in the proper direction and to the right of the central dividing curb,
separation section, or line on said highways.

(4) To drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access highway except at
such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.

(5) To stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or
unattended, on any part or portion of the right-of-way of said highways,
except in the case of an emergency or as directed by a peace officer, or
at designated parking areas.

(6) To fail to yield the right-of-way when entering the highway to any
vehicle already travelling on the highway.

(7) Notwithstanding any other subdivision of this section, a law
enforcement officer may cross the median of a divided highway when
the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a felony is being or
has been committed, has personal knowledge that a vehicle is being
operated at a speed or in a manner which is likely to endanger persons
or property, or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the
officer's presence is immediately required at a location which would
necessitate crossing a median of a divided highway for this purpose.

Found here:

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedl...chapter_20.pdf

 

From the California DMV manual:
"Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic. (Remember that the maximum speed allowed is 65 mph on most freeways.) Do not stop before merging with freeway traffic unless absolutely necessary. Freeway traffic has the right of way."

This of course requires ideal driving manners and traffic. Today, most drivers tailgate each other and trying to find a hole to merge to can sometimes be scary, especially those 18 wheelers that drive single file on the right and look like the AT&SF railway.

Good manners say you should help the other guy to merge in, but if your exit is the next one coming up, and you move over, you'll never get back in and blow right by your exit. Best thing to do is tap the brake and let him go ahead, or accelerate and let him pull in behind, unless he is a jerk and starts a pissing contest.

 

So what is a person to do when merging into traffic, and you have an open spot but the guy behind the open spot speeds up with the purpose of cutting you off?

I drive a lot around my city, and that happens at least once and sometimes multiple times per day for me. I usually try to speed up and get in because there is only so much room to get in. But once in a while I get forced onto the shoulder, and have to darn near stop. At that point, it is time to break out the coleman stove and cook weenies 'cause ain't no one gonna let you in if you are stopped!

 

Drive defensively

You were forced over because you failed to slow down and recalibrate the best option.Same goes for the people directly behind you.

That's all there is to it...take the high road so to speak.....back off ..slow down.....let them go....... evaluate the situation completely.

You as the person trying to gain access to the throughfare have to do the right thing and NOT depend on others to drive for you.
You are coming from a slower road to a highspeed road......Be smart and careful.

 

No no, read what I wrote. There was a hole I had plenty room If the Jack a44 didn't speed up to purposly cut me off. Now if I slow down at that point there is no hole to merge into. So what do you do. Me, I do slow down at that point, but then the merge lane is gone. Cannot go back to go and start again at that point.

My point is this, there are times when you do all the right things. I am not a fast driver, but I ain't a slow poke either. Both can be bad. Point is that people have to deal with RUDE drivers every day. Keeping your cool will save your life, and perhaps the lives of others.

 

I recall from my drivers ed class that the person who is already on the freeway must make a space for the person merging if they are able.

That's how I've always looked at it. If it's a Merge, then both drivers have a responsibility. if it's a yelid sign, then the entering driver (facing the yeild sign) must acccomodate the drivers already on the freeway.

That's just how I've been doing it.

 

Sorry , But the one already on the freeway has the right of way. State law requires the car ENTERING to merge,yeild the right of way. It is the 100% responcibility of the car wanting to enter the freeway to do it safely or not at all.

 

Item #6 on post #4

 

In CA, assuming the person merging is doing so as safely as possible the car(s) already on the highway must be driven so as to facilitate the merge. In other words, anyone who speeds up or tailgates to shut you off is guilty of driving in an unsafe manner and can be ticketed.

 

yep, in IL through / exiting trafic has ROW

 

maybe so. but it doesnt mean you have to slow down or spped up to let them in, It means you cant do anything on purpose that would make it hard for them to enter, Maitaining a steady speed is the best help you can give them, By doing this they can estimate the place where they need to enter, either in front of you or behind you.......

 

thefarlaneman:

I'd think so too. But considering all situations, I can see a gray area where for whatever reason the merging vehicle is not taking proper action, and I as the ROW car grimly/stubbornly hold on to my pace and position when I could do something else to avoid collision, both parties can be held responsible. ANd I'll bet lawyers have successfully argued this.

For what it's worth, the ROW rules in seafaring clearly state who has ROW in a particular situation, but also clearly state that avoiding collision by taking needed action is expected of the ROW craft, as a last resort.