Construction Zone Idiots (when coming up to the zones)

Started by rickmastfan67, August 04, 2010, 02:35:27 AM

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rickmastfan67

Alright, who here are really annoyed by people who think that they need to attempt to pass somebody right before a construction zone?

When I was just coming back from Pocono this weekend, we encountered a Construction Zone on I-80 WB just after US-11.  The Right Lane was going to be closed.  So, me and the family pull over into the left lane about 1/2 mile before the zone along with a trucker that was right in front of us.  Same with a few other cars that were behind us.  Well, then two IDIOTS who where behind the car behind us decided they didn't want to go the SL while going up the hill into the zone.  So, the 2 jerks pull out to pass on the right.  They pass the guy behind us and then us.  THEN, they realize that the signs weren't lying about the CZ......  So, what do you think they do?

A) Backoff and get back inline behind the guy behind us.
B) Still attempt to pass the truck.
C) Shoot for the really small gap between us and the Truck.






Well, if you guessed C, you're correct.  Both IDIOTS attempt to get into the small gap between us and the truck AT THE SAME TIME!  The 2nd car barely cleared us with 3-5 feet of space.  Thankfully there wasn't a wreck.  But if there was, I would have made sure the jackasses would have gotten tickets from the cop that responded for reckless driving....

So, have anybody else encountered complete idiots like that?


signalman

Come over to New Jersey more often.  You will get to see maneuvers like that whether it be in a construction zone or not.  I generally anticipate the worst when driving and am rarely disappointed.

US71

When I was in KC back in June, there was a construction zone along I-35 south of Kearney. When the signs said "Left Lane Closed Ahead", it seems like everyone shifted left and floored it causing a traffic jam the the point the lane actually closed.  THEN, the pick-up in front of me decided to straddle the lanes and cause an ever bigger tie up.  Of course, the state police were nowhere in sight.
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Scott5114

We used to wrap up the pre-shift meeting at work with a "Question of the Day" that one of us suggested. After we ran out of bland stuff like "What's your favorite color" and such, we started getting more inventive. One day I supplied the question "You're on the interstate and see signs stating one of the lanes is closing ahead. Do you try to pass as many people as possible or get over immediately?" You wouldn't believe it but some people were downright proud of the fact that they would get right up to the cones before merging in! The crew was split about 50/50 on the question. It was probably the most animated response to a question we'd ever had.

One of my friends related a story she observed about someone so insistent on passing a car before changing lanes that they ended crashing into the arrow panel!
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usends

I don't dispute the idiocy of the drivers described in the examples below, but do I want to point out I've been through construction zones where traffic is instructed not to merge until the merge point.  You can fit more backed-up traffic in two queues than in just one.

hbelkins

Quote from: usends on August 04, 2010, 10:02:22 AM
I don't dispute the idiocy of the drivers described in the examples below, but do I want to point out I've been through construction zones where traffic is instructed not to merge until the merge point.  You can fit more backed-up traffic in two queues than in just one.

There was a big thread on MTR about this a few years ago. Pennsylvania was instructing people to use both lanes right up to the merge point and then alternate. At the same time Tennessee was making it illegal to be in the lane that was to be closed after you pass a certain point.

As for me, i always try to get in the lane that is going to stay open as soon as I can. I hate being stuck in the lane that runs out and having to rely on a good Samaritan to let me in.
Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

corco

There's nothing at all wrong with waiting until the merge point to merge, as long as it's done correctly- for me it's related to the amount of traffic- if there's a lot of traffic to the point where it backs up I feel more comfortable waiting until the merge point anyway (as opposed to trying to get somebody to let me in, it becomes, "let me in or your car is toast" because my pavement is becoming your pavement), while in less-trafficky areas where a lane change isn't a pain in the butt I don't see much of a need and would rather just get over.

This sounds like a situation where there wasn't much traffic, which in my mind makes it just obnoxious.

Brandon

Quote from: signalman on August 04, 2010, 03:56:07 AM
Come over to New Jersey more often.  You will get to see maneuvers like that whether it be in a construction zone or not.  I generally anticipate the worst when driving and am rarely disappointed.

Sounds like New Jersey drivers took lessons in Chicago.

Here, they ride the closed lane up until its end then try to bull their way into traffic.  They cut through (yes, I said through) the closed off area to reach their exit (usually when it is a local/express set up so IDOT or ISTHA can work on the middle lanes).  The work zone speed limit (draconian as it may be at 45 mph) means nothing.  Hell, why use the road when the shoulder is open and ready for use?  :banghead:

There is a reason "Chicago Driver" is an insult in Michigan and Wisconsin, and why "FIB" is such a common phrase in Wisconsin.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton, "Game of Thrones"

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg, "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

Truvelo

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on August 04, 2010, 02:35:27 AM
When I was just coming back from Pocono this weekend, we encountered a Construction Zone on I-80 WB just after US-11.  The Right Lane was going to be closed.  So, me and the family pull over into the left lane about 1/2 mile before the zone along with a trucker that was right in front of us.

Which is why in the UK it's the fast lane that is normally closed on the approach to construction zones even if it's the other lane that's being worked on. That way you don't have slow traffic moving into the last lane 1/2 mile before the lane drop causing frustration to faster traffic behind.

In my experience I've found drivers are generally more aggressive here than in North America. On the approaches to construction there's always cars zooming along the lane that's closed ahead and cutting in at the last minute causing a queue behind. Some areas are using merge in turn signs but it doesn't seem to work. In one construction area at the moment they've put posters on the bridges saying "Patience Prevents Patients" but if you drive too leisurely you simply leave a gap in front for the lane swapping morons to pull into. What large truckers do is drive their vehicles on the stripes between both lanes which stops these idiots getting past and cutting in at the last minute.
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deathtopumpkins

I've seen trucks do that here too. I personally usually just find someone to let me in, and if I start to get close to where the lane ends I'll just squeeze my way in. I never delibrately fly around everybody to merge in at the last minute though, and I hate the people who let those idiots in. I sure don't.
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vdeane

Happens in NY too.  I've only done it once, and in that case traffic was so backed up that you couldn't see the sign for the lane closure until it was too late.  There was a zipper movement until some idiots decided to cut me off.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

rickmastfan67

#11
Quote from: corco on August 04, 2010, 10:24:12 AM
This sounds like a situation where there wasn't much traffic, which in my mind makes it just obnoxious.

If you're talking about my original post, you would be correct.  There wasn't much traffic at all on I-80 in that area when I was there.

Quote from: deathtopumpkins on August 04, 2010, 11:38:21 AM
I've seen trucks do that here too. I personally usually just find someone to let me in, and if I start to get close to where the lane ends I'll just squeeze my way in. I never delibrately fly around everybody to merge in at the last minute though, and I hate the people who let those idiots in. I sure don't.

We had no choice.  They were coming over and they didn't care if they caused a wreck.  Right there, it was better to back off a tad than have a wrecked car and no way to get home.

corco

QuoteIf you're talking about my original post, you would be correct.  There wasn't much traffic at all on I-80 in that area when I was there.

Yeah, that's ridiculous.

In a situation like that the premise is absolutely hilarious too- odds are very good they won't get to their destination any faster, as there was almost certainly somebody going slower than you in front of you, so there's really no point or value gained from passing dangerously. I'd quasi-understand if there were legitimate time to be saved, but I'm sure he just arrived at whatever slower moving vehicle a couple seconds before you.

mightyace

Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2010, 10:22:03 AM
At the same time Tennessee was making it illegal to be in the lane that was to be closed after you pass a certain point.

I can't say if that law's still on the books or not, but I haven't seen any warning signs about it near construction zone.

Down here they aren't quite as aggressive at Rickmastfan67 ran into near my Dad's house.  Most of the time, they will try and force their way in but are quite as vehement about forcing it.  If I know that the drivers were behind me and passed me, I won't let them in if I can help it.  If I'm not sure, or some other circumstance made it hard/impossible to get over, I'll try to let them in.  Even so, one car only gets in.

Also, my willingness to let someone in also depends on the distance from the lane closure, the farther from the closure, the more likely I am to let them in.
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I'm out of this F***KING PLACE!

allniter89

FIB??? :hmmm: As a former over the road trucker it used to infuriate me when a vehicle would pass me in the soon to be closed lane, I would mutter and yell "what you're too good to sit in line"  :verymad: at the vehicles passing me in the soon to be closed lane. If I was right at the merge point and saw someone running up the closed lane I would not let them in, I was real good at following the vehicle ahead super close and blocking the other vehicle  :evilgrin: : :biggrin:. As usends correctly stated you can move more traffic in 2 lanes than 1, but then how far do you take that? Example---Traffic is lined up in the open lane for 2 miles but the soon to be closed lane is empty but still open, would you run in the soon to be closed lane to the merge or sit in the long line of traffic like everyone else? Me, if traffic was lined up that far I would probably sit in line and b*tch. But if there were 2 lane of equally backed up I would choose the shorter line (duh!, lol). Why people wont maintain two lanes then take turns at the merge (per PA) I dont know, its so simple, instead like stupid sheep they all follow each other in a lane that is stopped 2 miles before the shutdown!! And how about those truckers that will ride side by side holding back traffic and causing a even longer jam, man I'm glad I'm off the road!!
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corco

#15
QuoteWhy people wont maintain two lanes then take turns at the merge (per PA) I dont know, its so simple, instead like stupid sheep they all follow each other in a lane that is stopped 2 miles before the shutdown!!

This. Is. Absolutely. Right. The corollary to people obnoxiously passing is people who come to a near stop 2 miles before the lane closure to attempt to get into the main lane. If you have to slow down that much to be let in, just keep going to the merge point.

If it's not really easy to get into the lane that's going to stay open, go to the merge point where cars are supposed to zipper together, with each side taking a turn.

The zipper method makes sense in heavy traffic because it's predictable- if everyone goes to the merge point to merge, it becomes expected that you zipper to let people in. If some asswagon throws his blinker on two miles before the merge point and then slows up to find somebody to let him in, he's effectively moving the merge point back, which is completely pointless (and leads to insane speed fluctuations- once he's in, it's possible the other car will keep going forward).

In light traffic, it doesn't really matter either way, but best not to obnoxiously pass.

Alps

The problem is that there are three schools of thought, and different states use different methods.  So if you're from PA, and you go to NJ, you'll merge in right away and half the state will pass you in the other lane.  If you're from NJ and you go to PA, you'll be the only one in your lane for a good mile before the construction zone.  Here are the methods:

1) Merge left as soon as you see "Lane closed ahead" signs.  Now, to me, this defeats the purpose of closing the lane at MP 100; if everyone merges left at MP 101, why not close the lane there?  As long as traffic is moving, this way works.  Once traffic is stopped, it makes no sense whatsoever.

2) Merge left at the last possible moment.  This is what NJ/NY drivers do in our "hurry-up" mentality, but can be unsafe IF traffic is free-flowing.  If traffic is queued, this is probably best.

3) Dynamic merge signs that monitor the queue and tell you where to merge.  This sort of goes against both logical arguments.  If traffic is free-flow, this would let you merge at the merge point, which is unsafe because you lose any room for maneuverability.  If traffic is queued, this would tell you to get in line well before the merge point.  It's not like you have to wait any longer because the capacity is the same either way, but it just FEELS longer and you have an open lane no one's using.

Alps

Quote from: allniter89 on August 04, 2010, 06:11:29 PM
And how about those truckers that will ride side by side holding back traffic and causing a even longer jam, man I'm glad I'm off the road!!
I ran into this for the first time in PA, two trucks doing about 10 MPH side by side for a mile prior to the lane closure.  I quietly wove my way through the cars behind them until I got close to the CZ, then I flipped into the shoulder for a good 300 feet tops and squeezed in ahead of the trucks.  And flipped them off.  To me, that's the only way to deal with them.  (Note to policemen reading this - without proof, I could be making this up.)  My moral says that unless you're law enforcement, you don't get to decide how I drive, so move the fuck over and do your own thing and let me do mine.

thenetwork

CDOT in Colorado has started to denote when "Merge Points" officially are when approaching closed lanes.  Problem is, truckers don't adhere to the official rules they'll start riding abreast blocking BOTH lanes well before the merge point if it looks like too many people are driving in both lanes to the merge point.  Those are the people that need to be ticketed.   :clap:

What CDOT Doesn't do is use their numerous VMSs to denote upcoming lane closures.  They seem to have no problem advising people of a closed pass due to heavy snow 100 miles away or wildlife crossing in the next 20 miles, but to say that the right lane will be closing 8 miles ahead?  That's asking for the entire Milky Way galaxy!!! :pan:

rickmastfan67

#19
Quote from: AlpsROADS on August 04, 2010, 06:35:51 PM
Quote from: allniter89 on August 04, 2010, 06:11:29 PM
And how about those truckers that will ride side by side holding back traffic and causing a even longer jam, man I'm glad I'm off the road!!
I ran into this for the first time in PA, two trucks doing about 10 MPH side by side for a mile prior to the lane closure.  I quietly wove my way through the cars behind them until I got close to the CZ, then I flipped into the shoulder for a good 300 feet tops and squeezed in ahead of the trucks.  And flipped them off.  To me, that's the only way to deal with them.  (Note to policemen reading this - without proof, I could be making this up.)  My moral says that unless you're law enforcement, you don't get to decide how I drive, so move the fuck over and do your own thing and let me do mine.

I remember some trucks did this on I-80 EB once for a CZ.  However, I think the State Police asked them to because they had just closed the left lane over a bridge and traffic was at a complete standstill.  I mean people were turning off their car and getting out is was that kind of stopped!  If fact, they even had the State Police on the right shoulder driving in the wrong direction to get people's attention because of the stopped traffic right around the curve.  And once we got to the bridge, traffic was going about 10 MPH.  If fact, I think I have a picture of that.  If I find it, I'll edit this post with it.

EDIT: Found the picture.  It was 6 MPH. lol.

Scott5114

Quote from: corco on August 04, 2010, 02:44:14 PM
1) Merge left as soon as you see "Lane closed ahead" signs.  Now, to me, this defeats the purpose of closing the lane at MP 100; if everyone merges left at MP 101, why not close the lane there?  As long as traffic is moving, this way works.  Once traffic is stopped, it makes no sense whatsoever.

The reason for merging early is to prevent yourself from getting in a situation where you cannot merge later. If you cannot merge at the time that you see the signs, you still have a good mile to find a gap and switch lanes before you get stuck at the cones. And it's a lot easier to merge at speed than it is at a dead stop. (Which is why backups ensue...you have people coming over at 5 MPH so faster moving traffic behind has to slow way down to let them in.)

ODOT does their best to encourage this early-merging behavior, but a lot of people don't really give a damn about state law.


Quote2) Merge left at the last possible moment.  This is what NJ/NY drivers do in our "hurry-up" mentality, but can be unsafe IF traffic is free-flowing.  If traffic is queued, this is probably best.
This often CAUSES queues.

Quote3) Dynamic merge signs that monitor the queue and tell you where to merge.  This sort of goes against both logical arguments.  If traffic is free-flow, this would let you merge at the merge point, which is unsafe because you lose any room for maneuverability.  If traffic is queued, this would tell you to get in line well before the merge point.  It's not like you have to wait any longer because the capacity is the same either way, but it just FEELS longer and you have an open lane no one's using.

Never seen this.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

Brandon

"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton, "Game of Thrones"

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg, "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

US71

Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Brandon

Quote from: US71 on August 05, 2010, 08:41:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on August 05, 2010, 08:32:44 AM
Quote from: allniter89 on August 04, 2010, 06:11:29 PM
FIB??? :hmmm:

Cheesehead shorthand for "fucking Illinois bastard".

Just don't lump ALL Illinois drivers under that label.

I don't, but the term is common in Wisconsin due to the natures of Chicago drivers mentioned above.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton, "Game of Thrones"

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg, "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

triplemultiplex

Quote from: US71 on August 05, 2010, 08:41:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on August 05, 2010, 08:32:44 AM
Quote from: allniter89 on August 04, 2010, 06:11:29 PM
FIB??? :hmmm:

Cheesehead shorthand for "fucking Illinois bastard".

Just don't lump ALL Illinois drivers under that label.
ALL Illinois-ing drivers fall into this category whenever the Cubs or Bears are the visiting team.
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