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Topic: How to merge on the highway? (Read 882 times) previous topic - next topic

How to merge on the highway?

My wife and I were out of the country for some time and I have a question about the way people merge on the highway. I was taught 1st, to accelerate to traffic speed on the ramp, 2nd, use turn signal so drivers on highway know your intent, 3rd, see that you have room to merge adjust speed and merge. I drive most of the time in the right hand lane and it looks to me like the new way to merge is 1st do about 30 mph, next don't use turn signal use cell phone, and 3rd, when you do at last look up, cut in front of the motor home so it will jam on its brakes and make room for you. Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #1 –
Quote
My wife and I were out of the country for some time and I have a question about the way people merge on the highway. I was taught 1st, to accelerate to traffic speed on the ramp, 2nd, use turn signal so drivers on highway know your intent, 3rd, see that you have room to merge adjust speed and merge. I drive most of the time in the right hand lane and it looks to me like the new way to merge is 1st do about 30 mph, next don't use turn signal use cell phone, and 3rd, when you do at last look up, cut in front of the motor home so it will jam on its brakes and make room for you. Gam

You'll find few will cut in front of you if you LAY ON YOUR AIR HORN ;o)

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #2 –
HA!  First - if there are three lanes on the freeway, I always drive in the middle lane to avoid merging with cars or trucks. I don't care what other drivers think of me... that's how I roll.  Go around me.
If I do have to be in the right lane I'm always ready for someone to cut in front of me.  It's amazing how many people don't know how to use their accelerator to speed up to get in front of me. The reaction is to usually slow down.  LOVE my air horn and use it when I need to :)  And sometime when I don't need to just to have a little fun ;D

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #3 –
I consider the air horns to be an educational tool with respect to the use of cell phones while driving. Also, the educational process provides many opportunities to exercise the air horns in order to kept them in top working condition. Some of us enjoy providing audible clues to other drivers. :))

I try to use Gam's preferred method when I merge to another path.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #4 –
Nobody wants to be behind an RV or truck, makes no difference what speed you are travelling at.. The only issue with driving the center lane is, because of restrictions on some interstates, that is the only passing lane for big trucks. We drive the center lane when we go through cities on the interstate, otherwise we stay in the "granny" lane. however we try to avoid the interstates once we are west of the Mississippi river. Love the back roads.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #5 –
With lots of miles on the interstates driving tractor trailer, I've always been told to be in the lane with "a way out" of what ever may happen around you.  If you have cars on both sides of you, and in front and behind you, you don't have a way out!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #6 –
We drive very defensively and I'm always on the lookout for merging vehicles.  We had a close call in Bakersfield, CA while pulling our Airstream where the merging driver seemed to be clueless to the fact a truck/trailer combo was on his left.  After that incident I make the decision to slow down and let them merge, even while going way too slow, or speed up and get them behind me.  When Pat isn't driving she will let me know if someone is coming onto the highway (if she is driving, I'm usually asleep).  I think this approach helps one avoid a lot of surprises. 

We too like to drive in the center lane if possible.  That avoids merging traffic. 
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #7 –
On the east coast the center lane is the best but when you are out in the midwest or south there is not much traffic so I am usually in the right lane unless I have to make some time. Then again driving cross country multiple times a year has shown me that most of the states have very little traffic so I am in the right lane most of the trip unless it is really rough then I move over to the left lane. It seems that most states only have two lanes on each side until you get to the coasts or to major cities.  I will slow down and let them in or I just drive my speed and they can fall in behind me.  Merging or changing lanes in rush hour in DC or NYC or other traffic spot means three blinks and I start moving. No one will let you in so you make a hole being bigger.  Pick on mercedes or BMWs or new cars first.... just a hint.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Steve & Kathy B –
HA!  First - if there are three lanes on the freeway, I always drive in the middle lane to avoid merging with cars or trucks. I don't care what other drivers think of me... that's how I roll.  Go around me.

The guy who first taught me about driving big rigs (he owned a trucking company) told me to BE THE OTHER GUY'S PROBLEM; DON'T LET THEM BE YOUR PROBLEM. Still good advice.

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #10 –
Too many people seem to think that the car merging onto the highway has the right of way. When I'm towing a trailer I generally stay in the right-hand lane since I'm usually going slower than others. Some guy in a pickup wanted to merge the other day and I had a semi to my left. He was quite put out when I didn't slow down even more to let him in. He finally stomped on the pedal and left us with a large black cloud of exhaust to drive through.

On the other side, why do so many drivers seem to think that as soon as their front bumper passes yours they need to whip back into your lane, especially on a nearly deserted four-lane divided road? I can understand wanting to get back as quickly as possible on a two-lane road, but a divided highway?

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #11 –
"why do so many drivers seem to think that as soon as their front bumper passes yours they need to whip back into your lane, especially on a nearly deserted four-lane divided road? "

This is a puzzle to me also, particularly when it is raining, or when I am on cruise control and they slow down after pulling in front of me!
If traffic is light, I will move over to the left lane until I am comfortable with moving back to the right lane. I hope that this provides a message to those folks who return so quickly to the left lane after passing a big rig.

In some regions, the California I5 right (travelling) lane is so rough that, even with air bags, my motorhome takes a beating. I will travel in the left lane (much smoother) when traffic is light


Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada
 

Re: How to merge on the highway?

Reply #12 –
 ::)  While driving on interstate limited access highways I try to stay in the far right lane except to pass. There are some exceptions; When traveling through major cities with consecutive exit and access ramps I try to stay in the second lane from the right or the middle lane if there are only three lanes. Also while traveling on the open road I anticipate exit and access ramps and move from the right lane to the second lane from the right to avoid vehicles that maybe slowing to exit or attempting to gain entry to the interstate highway. When driving in inclement weather conditions; heavy rain, fog, etc. I also like to drive in the second lane from the right or the center lane, so I have a way out of a situation.  We do have the advantage of being seated higher then most car drivers and can see well ahead of the immediate traffic giving us and truck drivers the ability to see developing traffic problems. I try to watch traffic flow well ahead of me ( 1/2 to 3/4 miles), and anticipate lane changes or stopping traffic that may be developing. I also do not understand why drivers entering an interstate from an access ramp, most often fail to accelerate to highway speed before they have to merge into the flow of traffic, with the exception of large loaded trucks most vehicles today have the ability to rapidly gain the speed needed... ^.^d
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake