Lane Closure "ettiquite"

[fillup420]

i use the closing or ending lane as far as reasonably possible. From there i match the speed of the next lane, and insert myself into a reasonable spot. 95% of drivers will let you in. Very rarely do i get some asshat who refuses, in that case i just merge in behind them.

Conversely, I always let in a driver merging, within reason.

its not a race. if someone wants to merge, just let them.

The folks that try and control traffic by blocking a lane that ends or closes are the worst type of driver. We are all in it together. allow traffic to flow, and we will all get through it quicker. the easiest way to do this is to leave room between you and the car in front for 1 car to merge in.

[kphoger]

The folks that try and control traffic by blocking a lane that ends or closes are the worst type of driver.

My favorite are the ones who straddle the lane line to prevent anyone from using the closing lane, but there's a wide paved shoulder, so you can just go around them anyway.

[Henry]

The folks that try and control traffic by blocking a lane that ends or closes are the worst type of driver.

My favorite are the ones who straddle the lane line to prevent anyone from using the closing lane, but there's a wide paved shoulder, so you can just go around them anyway.

I hate those lane blockers too! Who do they think they are, Shaquille O'Neal?

[webny99]

Today's drama. A rear-end job (marked by a Wazer as a "pile-up" before I arrived    ) that blocked the right lane at the bridge - a commercial van rear-ended an ambulance!! Pay attention to the 18-wheelers. They are riding the center line - albeit barely. This happened yesterday when I was driving the zipper lane - they got in the way of anyone that tried to drive the lane - at this same point. (left lane for me yesterday - right lane cleared here today.

That being said, here the ramp needs to get in, and they had no issue finding gaps.

To my understanding, this situation is a total case in point for using both lanes, because now everyone has to merge back in to the lane they just merged out of.

NYSDOT is actively promoting the zipper on a very similar situation on I-490, and I have advocated that most thru traffic should actually use the closing lane during backups since entering traffic has to merge into the through lane.

[ChiMilNet]

The problem with the "zipper" method is not the theory, but drivers who just don't understand it. I once got "blocked" by someone who decided to designate themselves as road police, even though there was nearly a half a mile of lane open until it merged. I probably lost a good 20 minutes because of this person. Some people just don't understand how it works, and that's why there are so many problems in these situations.

[GaryV]

I was on a suburban 5-lane road, in the left through lane because I was going to turn left shortly. A garbage truck was in the right lane, picking up, and 2 cars were trapped behind it. I did the "right thing" and slowed down so one of the cars could get in front of me and pass the truck. I came almost to a complete stop, and the driver didn't come over. Probably because they thought almost no drivers would have let them merge in; they were far too used to there not being any "etiquette" shown.

[kalvado]

I was on a suburban 5-lane road, in the left through lane because I was going to turn left shortly. A garbage truck was in the right lane, picking up, and 2 cars were trapped behind it. I did the "right thing" and slowed down so one of the cars could get in front of me and pass the truck. I came almost to a complete stop, and the driver didn't come over. Probably because they thought almost no drivers would have let them merge in; they were far too used to there not being any "etiquette" shown.

People doing something against the established ways are suspicious.
If there were 2 cars trapped, and you were the only car in the other lane... maybe they prepared to shift after you - and waiting for that idiot to pass? Maybe you were going to step on the gas once they start merging and claim insurance?

[jeffandnicole]

I think NJDOT tries to solve the dilemma by routinely not posting a lane ending construction sign until about 1,500 Feet prior to the lane ending.  Motorists probably can see the arrow board before they see the construction sign announcing the lane ending.

[kalvado]

I think NJDOT tries to solve the dilemma by routinely not posting a lane ending construction sign until about 1,500 Feet prior to the lane ending.  Motorists probably can see the arrow board before they see the construction sign announcing the lane ending.

Somewhat of a reasonable compromise we talked about yesterday. still may be a good idea to designate merging point somewhat ahead of actual lane closure.

[jeffandnicole]

I think NJDOT tries to solve the dilemma by routinely not posting a lane ending construction sign until about 1,500 Feet prior to the lane ending.  Motorists probably can see the arrow board before they see the construction sign announcing the lane ending.

Somewhat of a reasonable compromise we talked about yesterday. still may be a good idea to designate merging point somewhat ahead of actual lane closure.

No need. There's only about a quarter mile between the sign and the closure point. No mile-long issues like other states have.

[ElishaGOtis]

It doesn't help how some states require the zipper merge (I.e. Utah) whereas other states (previously) prohibited it (I.e. Oklahoma, Alabama, etc). Emphasis on previously.

As I've mentioned in other forums, I've had vastly different experiences in different states. From my experience as a traveler only, Texas seems to be (mostly) well-behaved with zipper merging, Florida is a mixed bag depending on where you are in the state, and Tennessee is actively hostile like what OP described.

[Beltway]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

[kphoger]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

Then don't merge early.  You'll be less frustrated and less delayed.  Problem solved.


In other news, we've now made it this far into the thread without anyone griping about the misspelled topic.  Is this a new record for the forum?

[Beltway]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.
I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

Then don't merge early.  You'll be less frustrated and less delayed.  Problem solved.

But doesn't that make you one of the queue jumpers?

[Henry]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.
I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

Then don't merge early.  You'll be less frustrated and less delayed.  Problem solved.

But doesn't that make you one of the queue jumpers?

I'd prefer the term line cutters...and yes, it does.

[pderocco]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.
I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

Then don't merge early.  You'll be less frustrated and less delayed.  Problem solved.

But doesn't that make you one of the queue jumpers?

I'd prefer the term line cutters...and yes, it does.

The "queue" is supposed to be two cars abreast, not single-file.

[kphoger]

But doesn't that make you one of the queue jumpers?

Who said there has to be a queue?

[Tendies]

Use both lanes until the merge point, then alternate. One car in after the other. Not my problem you decided to merge early and sit in an extra 20 minutes of stop and go. And if you don't let me in, the person behind you will.
I will add though, that it's a one way lane change. Once you merge, you've merged. You don't get to unmerge.
Whatever happens, under absolutely no circumstances should you attempt to guard the lane. You are the absolute scum of the earth. Worse than blatant queue jumpers.

[Beltway]

Use both lanes until the merge point, then alternate. One car in after the other. Not my problem you decided to merge early and sit in an extra 20 minutes of stop and go. And if you don't let me in, the person behind you will.
I will add though, that it's a one way lane change. Once you merge, you've merged. You don't get to unmerge.
Whatever happens, under absolutely no circumstances should you attempt to guard the lane. You are the absolute scum of the earth. Worse than blatant queue jumpers.

Actually that works for the last 500 feet or so. Having a 5,000 pound vehicle helps give you some gravitas. Have your turn signal on and be slow to merge.

[jeffandnicole]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

So you chose to jump the queue at a certain point. It's still jumping. You just chose to do it further back.

[kalvado]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

So you chose to jump the queue at a certain point. It's still jumping. You just chose to do it further back.

How did you come to that conclusion?

[jeffandnicole]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

So you chose to jump the queue at a certain point. It's still jumping. You just chose to do it further back.

How did you come to that conclusion?

He said he tends to merge early. Same thing as jumping the queue. And if he merged before there was a queue, no fault blaming others for not doing the same.

[kalvado]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

So you chose to jump the queue at a certain point. It's still jumping. You just chose to do it further back.

How did you come to that conclusion?

He said he tends to merge early. Same thing as jumping the queue. And if he merged before there was a queue, no fault blaming others for not doing the same.

I still don't get your logic.

[CtrlAltDel]

they were far too used to there not being any "etiquette" shown

I think you mean "ettiquite."

[jeffandnicole]

I tend to merge early, but then feel frustrated at all the queue jumpers that keep going by to get to the head of the merge.

I may get seriously delayed by 20 or 30 cars that go by me.

So you chose to jump the queue at a certain point. It's still jumping. You just chose to do it further back.

How did you come to that conclusion?

He said he tends to merge early. Same thing as jumping the queue. And if he merged before there was a queue, no fault blaming others for not doing the same.

I still don't get your logic.

Oh well.