Merging Wars

[Burt124]

Escy said:

Geekman said:

I get this all the time and I just force my way in, haven't crashed so far.

I had one where I forced my way in (everyone was merging one after the other and this guy wouldn't let me when it was my turn) and I did have a crash. Rule of thumb usually is don't mess with someone driving a banger (I was). It was a strange situation, after we collided at around 5mph, he braked, I went ahead, my mirror housing broke off. I don't know what was going through his mind, he was obviously having a rage to want to force me onto the wrong side of the road. He then drove like nothing happened, no flashing lights, didn't gesture for me to pull over, didn't beep, didn't even give me the finger. It was strange, all I can think is that he thought i'd come off worse as part of my car fell off. He was driving a new shape Yaris, probably worth around 8k at the time. He turned off the road 5 minutes later and I saw his car in my mirror, the whole side of it was damaged. I bet he was gutted when he saw.

I did regret it when it happened, thought he'd report a hit and run or something. Never heard anything and it was 2 years ago.

I had the reverse situation.

I have an old Volvo which I'm very fond of. Sadly, it doesn't change trajectory too well in some situations.

There is a roundabout near me which is 2 lanes in and one out if you go straight ahead. I saw the Merc barreling down the outside lane coming up to the roundabout, and you know how you can just tell that this guy is a dick. We go across the roundabout, me in the left hand lane, he in the right at my 3/4 because he Is baulked by traffic going right. He then has to boot it to try to get past me, I ignore him and continue on my path ( actually quite hard to do) he pulls in front of me and we collide. His NSR wing hits my OSR. I see his 11 plate Merc has a nasty dent on the rear arch/wing. He pulls over. I ignore him and keep going.

Never heard anything despite him then following me for a couple of miles or so. I guess he decided he couldn't really report it.

Oh, and the Volvo? Just a little scratch.

[JeS10]

The majority of motorist simply don't know what to do when merging. It is that simple. I know many people that think those that go down the empty lane are wrong. I think the signposting should be made idiot proof - or people learn their highway code. I've seen so many road rage incidents spawning from merging.

[Frik]

It's true, they really don't. The southbound slip for the M23 from the clockwise M25 is a classic for this. Plenty of idiots who will try and force you behind them as if driving on the road is some sort of competition.

Worst I can remember was joining the M40 at junction 15 where it quite abruptly goes from two down to one lane just before the motorway. I was in L2 and slightly ahead of a car in L1 when I realised I was about to run out of road ahead. I dropped back to slot in behind but the guy behind them refused to give me room to move in and just stared straight ahead. Prick. I had to slam on the anchors to slot in behind him. And for what? I passed him as soon as we got on he motorway.

On the other hand a couple of weeks ago I got stuck in a slow merge at the end of a dual carriageway on the A47 heading towards Yarmouth. I was trying to merge in turn from L2 but the guy slightly behind me was welded to the car in front and wouldn't let me in at all. The front car started to drop back from the one ahead of it so I could have driven round but I was committed to trying to zip merge. Eventually the woman driving the front car waved me forward in front of her. I wound down the window to thank her but she pointed out that she was with the car behind her, hence his behaviour. Felt like a bit of tit then.

[9mm]

JeS10 said:

The majority of motorist simply don't know what to do when merging. It is that simple. I know many people that think those that go down the empty lane are wrong. I think the signposting should be made idiot proof - or people learn their highway code. I've seen so many road rage incidents spawning from merging.

Exactly this. Nothing will change until until all signs are replaced with ones that state "use both lanes to the end and then MERGE IN TURN".

Having said that, there are some layouts where that still won't work. The A27 westbound at Crossbush is a good example. There is no merge point and drivers need to read the signs and get into the right lane earlier. Plenty of people who know the road layout ignore this and try to play the 'merge card' to jump the queue. And yes, it is a queue.

[obob]

Not quite merge in turn but once I was driving in Leeds, found myself in the wrong lane so indicated to get in the left lane which had only slightly more traffic.

A few people blocked me, then one appeared to leave me a gap, got 3 quarters of my car in as not enough space. This guy behind now starts beeping and drives up as close as he can get without touching. So I just wave a polite sorry/thanks, traffic moves a little so I get my car fully in, and the car behind trying to stay as close as possible for some reason now crashes into me.

fking hilarious.

[carreauchompeur]

It really is tragic. Even when there are three equally trafficked lanes and you identify a merge point well ahead of the lane closure, despite the fact you're still moving people will still desperately try to block you.

I never leave it until the last minute and always try to match speed/find gaps well in advance but people I suppose think 'wker in BMW' and default to idiot mode.

Did have to laugh a few months back when this happened in stationary-ish traffic and a chav woman in a Berlingo deliberately blocked me mid-manoeuvre nearly causing a collision.

She and her knuckle dragger passenger were so busy laughing and making wker signs at me that she failed to notice the 2 car lengths which opened up in front. Floored it in first and got in safely, to a blare of horn for the rear. Funkily enough, they went all quiet after that.

[philmots]

I once had to come off the M1 - accident. All the surrounding roads were gridlocked.

I went up one heading away but there was roughly a mile queue up to this roundabout.. It's kind of a slip road so no oncoming traffic but there's probably enough width for 3 lanes. 2 lanes for entry to the roundabout. Left is straight on (where everyone was queuing) right to some offices.

I simply drove past them all for around a mile queuing up to this roundabout.. Then nobody wanted to let me in so I went round the roundabout next to them and promptly out accelerated them onto the next road. The guy went mad. Lol

[lostmotel]

I think most of the issue with the concept of merging is (as has probably been pointed out numerous times) is that unless it's been explained to you, the meaning of the phrase "merge in turn" is not actually readily apparent.

I'll hold my hands up and admit that until I actually read the Highway Code when learning to drive I didn't know, and assumed it meant that the lanes merge in a corner. Given that most people probably don't - at best - remember, and - at worst - ever read the Highway Code, it's no wonder "merging wars" happen.