Idiots straddling lanes on a merge
Discussion
flemke said:
Getragdogleg said:
This is a debate I can see both sides of because I drive both cars and trucks.
On the one hand the idea of "zip" merging is a good one, it uses up the available road space and reduces tailbacks, it does not reduce the amount of traffic but it manages it better. A long clear lane in front of someone who is lane blocking is stupid, its a waste of space.
On the other hand "zip" merging NEVER works. you alaways get one fool who will not let the person merge or you get a person who lets 5 people merge and both these action cause frustration, factor in a really pushy cock and its all very interesting on a hot day.
The view from inside my cab on a motorway that is funnelling down into a single lane is that the only reason the outside lane has less vehicles in it is the majority of people have read and understood the big red signs in the previous few miles and moved over to the lane that is staying open, the people who remain out until the last minute and then try to cut in front of more organised motorists are the problem. the traffic flow is then disrupted while the brakes are applied to allow the merging, this few seconds converts into a full stop~start furtherback the line, while the traffic is stopped and the outer lane is fairly free more impatient folk speed up it to try to merge further up the queue, folk then get out of line to overtake and more delays for more merging occur. Result, poor flow.
The trucks that run together to block the late overtakers have a perfect view ahead of the traffic thinning and starting to flow again, the lanes have no need to merge and so the queue moves freely until the double lanes of traffic behind the trucks snaggle it up again.
Zip merging does not work because of the fact that humans are involved, take the hint and read the signs, slow up and join the lane that is staying open early. your passage through WILL be quicker.
ETA: I will say that most of this post is based on a roadworks scenario, not poorly planned local roads where people act like fools for no reason.
I've read hundreds of PH posts on this subject, and yours is by far the best expressed and reasoned.On the one hand the idea of "zip" merging is a good one, it uses up the available road space and reduces tailbacks, it does not reduce the amount of traffic but it manages it better. A long clear lane in front of someone who is lane blocking is stupid, its a waste of space.
On the other hand "zip" merging NEVER works. you alaways get one fool who will not let the person merge or you get a person who lets 5 people merge and both these action cause frustration, factor in a really pushy cock and its all very interesting on a hot day.
The view from inside my cab on a motorway that is funnelling down into a single lane is that the only reason the outside lane has less vehicles in it is the majority of people have read and understood the big red signs in the previous few miles and moved over to the lane that is staying open, the people who remain out until the last minute and then try to cut in front of more organised motorists are the problem. the traffic flow is then disrupted while the brakes are applied to allow the merging, this few seconds converts into a full stop~start furtherback the line, while the traffic is stopped and the outer lane is fairly free more impatient folk speed up it to try to merge further up the queue, folk then get out of line to overtake and more delays for more merging occur. Result, poor flow.
The trucks that run together to block the late overtakers have a perfect view ahead of the traffic thinning and starting to flow again, the lanes have no need to merge and so the queue moves freely until the double lanes of traffic behind the trucks snaggle it up again.
Zip merging does not work because of the fact that humans are involved, take the hint and read the signs, slow up and join the lane that is staying open early. your passage through WILL be quicker.
ETA: I will say that most of this post is based on a roadworks scenario, not poorly planned local roads where people act like fools for no reason.
cdrx said:
deeps said:
There's a 2 lane DC near Taunton that merges into 1 lane, and everyday thousands of Lemmings sit nose to tail in lane 1 for over half a mile, while I cruise past in the empty lane 2!! Every day, always the same!! I love those Lemmings 
Its very gratifying driving past them all.GingerWizard said:
I am very fond of driving up empty lane 2 to the round about, quick loop and its my right of way all of a sudden, whilst everyone else hates me..... Still it knocks 20+mins off my travel to work time...
Using lane 2 of a merge in turn - sensibleLooping a roundabout - t
tTiggsy said:
GingerWizard said:
I am very fond of driving up empty lane 2 to the round about, quick loop and its my right of way all of a sudden, whilst everyone else hates me..... Still it knocks 20+mins off my travel to work time...
Using lane 2 of a merge in turn - sensibleLooping a roundabout - t
tStreaky
There is a similar stretch of D/C coming off J18 of the M4 as you head towards Bath. I've got no issue with people merging in turn but what really bugs me is when some drivers force their way into a gap that isn't and expect that, because they are indicating, you must come to a stop to let them in - which does nothing to help the flow of traffic. Or others that drive towards the side of you and force you over in the hope that you will blink first and let them in to avoid a collision.
I just wish people would be more considerate - it would make driving over here far more relaxed. I've driven extensively in the USA and, by and large, the standard of driving is far more relaxed. People often drive immense distances (my wife's father had a regular 12 hour commute from Colorado to Arkansas) over there and it doesn't pay to get stressed out over trying to get to the front of a queue, etc.
Bertie W
I just wish people would be more considerate - it would make driving over here far more relaxed. I've driven extensively in the USA and, by and large, the standard of driving is far more relaxed. People often drive immense distances (my wife's father had a regular 12 hour commute from Colorado to Arkansas) over there and it doesn't pay to get stressed out over trying to get to the front of a queue, etc.
Bertie W
Tiggsy said:
GingerWizard said:
I am very fond of driving up empty lane 2 to the round about, quick loop and its my right of way all of a sudden, whilst everyone else hates me..... Still it knocks 20+mins off my travel to work time...
Using lane 2 of a merge in turn - sensibleLooping a roundabout - t
t(if you going to get childish!!!)
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