# I'd like to teach the world to merge, in perfect harmony . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 6, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737 "2015-10-06T18:01:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/1 "2015-10-06T18:01:25Z")
1. The on-ramp to the freeway is for _acceleration_. 2. Gunning your Ford Ferret from 40-42mph as you approach the merge is _not_ considered an acceleration event. 3. Cutting in to the right lane going 42mph is not cautious driving; it’s _reckless endangerment_. 4. “Freeway speed” = 55-65mph. Please contact your local DMV for more details. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/2 "2015-10-06T19:19:42Z")
I now take pains to avoid exactly that scenario on my usual daily/weekly routes (I manuever my car so that I am ensured to be 1st in line)-infuriates me to no end to be behind one of these bozos on an on-ramp. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/3 "2015-10-06T19:22:10Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > 1. The on-ramp to the freeway is for _acceleration_. > 2. Gunning your Ford Ferret from 40-42mph as you approach the merge is _not_ considered an acceleration event. > 3. Cutting in to the right lane going 42mph is not cautious driving; it’s _reckless endangerment_. > 4. “Freeway speed” = 55-65mph. Please contact your local DMV for more details. > > Thank you. Yield does not mean stop…nor does it mean ‘recklessly cut off whoever is in the lane you are trying to get into’. Please learn how to make use of the proper way to use the Yield signs in future. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/4 "2015-10-06T20:58:46Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Yield does not mean stop…nor does it mean ‘recklessly cut off whoever is in the lane you are trying to get into’. Please learn how to make use of the proper way to use the Yield signs in future. 😛 Oh, Jeez, another driving sin that makes steam come out of my ears! ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/5 "2015-10-07T06:02:33Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Yield does not mean stop…nor does it mean ‘recklessly cut off whoever is in the lane you are trying to get into’. Please learn how to make use of the proper way to use the Yield signs in future. 😛 What really annoys me on the highway, is when the person on the highway is in the right hand lane, and they are approaching the merge point by the on ramp, why don’t you move over if you can? I understand if you can’t, but 9 out of 10 times, you can. So if you are on the highway, and see traffic coming down the on ramp…merge to the left lane. It makes things easier. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/6 "2015-10-07T11:26:26Z")
And, during rush hour, if someone trying to merge into the traffic jam is 2/3 of the way in front of your vehicle, and you cut them off, you are a giant douche. You’re just adding to the traffic problem. Merging is supposed to work like a zipper! I mean, where did you think the vehicle with its blinker on in the lane that ends was trying to go? ETA: I’m looking at YOU, Audis, Lexuses, BMWs, and Mercedes drivers! Always asshats. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/7 "2015-10-07T13:14:13Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > What really annoys me on the highway, is when the person on the highway is in the right hand lane, and they are approaching the merge point by the on ramp, why don’t you move over if you can? I understand if you can’t, but 9 out of 10 times, you can. So if you are on the highway, and see traffic coming down the on ramp…merge to the left lane. It makes things easier. A variation on this that happens to me quite a bit… I’ll be trying to merge, and there will be some idiot matching my speed and sitting in my blind spot. Speed up, drop back, or move over! ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/8 "2015-10-07T15:32:12Z")
I once had a diesel VW Rabbit that had very weak acceleration. Fortunately, on my way to work, there was a long on-ramp that descended from the overpass to the freeway below. I used that hill to get up to cruising speed so that I could safely merge. Meanwhile, I had my eye on the freeway traffic so I could pick the gap that I wanted to merge into. One fine morning, I was already up to about 50 and had picked out my gap in traffic. When I looked back to the front, I was horrified to find that some fool was stopped at the end of the ramp, apparently waiting for the freeway traffic to offer up a chance to enter the freeway from a dead stop. Fortunately, I was able to stop in time before hitting the idiot, but that left me in the same situation. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/9 "2015-10-07T15:57:21Z")
> [@OffByOne](#): > > One fine morning, I was already up to about 50 and had picked out my gap in traffic. When I looked back to the front, I was horrified to find that some fool was stopped at the end of the ramp, apparently waiting for the freeway traffic to offer up a chance to enter the freeway from a dead stop. > > Fortunately, I was able to stop in time before hitting the idiot, but that left me in the same situation. That’s why I hate merging, especially on unfamiliar roads. You’re expected to look 2 different directions at once and there are often people doing crazy things. I think merging, especially the lanes that are both enter and exit, are the cause of many traffic jams. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/10 "2015-10-07T16:09:58Z")
Here in the Detroit area we have some older highways that still have on ramp/off ramp combos in a few places- so people are speeding up to get onto the highway and slowing down to exit the highway _in the same lane._ ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/11 "2015-10-07T19:54:20Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > And, during rush hour, if someone trying to merge into the traffic jam is 2/3 of the way in front of your vehicle, and you cut them off, you are a giant douche. You’re just adding to the traffic problem. Merging is supposed to work like a zipper! > > I mean, where did you think the vehicle with its blinker on in the lane that ends was trying to go? > > ETA: I’m looking at YOU, Audis, Lexuses, BMWs, and Mercedes drivers! Always asshats. I drive a BMW and try to be nice to others 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/12 "2015-10-07T19:55:53Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Here in the Detroit area we have some older highways that still have on ramp/off ramp combos in a few places- so people are speeding up to get onto the highway and slowing down to exit the highway _in the same lane._ Yeah. Cloverleafs. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/13 "2015-10-07T19:57:28Z")
The Washington Post recently conducted a poll of “Top Asshole Drivers” (tho’ the title was nicer). 1. BMW \> I’m a nice BMW driver, but I can concede this as a generalized point. 2. Prius \> Readers comments focused on perceived “holier than thou who hoggeth gas” attitude and the many pedestrians who have been mowed down by this silent predator. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/14 "2015-10-07T20:08:32Z")
In this day of family sedans with over 300 HP, and 8-speed transmissions, the common car is whickedly fast… and traffic engineers tailor many on-ramps to have downhill stretches, and the extend them to the point where most cars could be doing 85 MPH before they end… …and people driving these cars are merging at 40 MPH, and it’dsjust… not… safe. Everything that has been said in this thread, plus this: The reality of the situation is that people are easily confused and overwhelmed at many routine phases of driving; they are afraid of their cars and the sense of speed (merging) reels its ugly head. They are given no practical training to drive in the real world – almost never. Instead, they get some basic instructions at 15 or 16 that make them capable of passing State driving tests, which are pathetic and ethically wrong (in that they don’t teach real driving). We have millions of people on the road who can barely survive the most routine challenges (e.g., merging). I’m done blaming drivers. It’s the system. Many people can drive intuitively, with a rhythm and natural approach. MOST cannot, and they’ve never been trained in any responsible way… and auto deaths are a serious motherf-----g problem. It’s sad… scary… and unfunny. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/15 "2015-10-07T20:19:39Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Here in the Detroit area we have some older highways that still have on ramp/off ramp combos in a few places- so people are speeding up to get onto the highway and slowing down to exit the highway _in the same lane._ There’s an especially bad one of these in San Jose, where I-880 (I think that’s the number, the old Route 17) has an interchange of sorts with Highway 101. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/16 "2015-10-07T20:30:27Z")
See that fine long north-bound on-ramp? https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.836449,-93.1612074&z=16&output=embed&dg=ntvb That’s a HALF MILE from top to merge. Into a 70 MPH zone. At least 60% of the morons who drive down it crawl along at 30-40mph the entire way, then try to force themselves into 70mph traffic at 45-50mph. I would love it if the Minnesota Highway Patrol would park at the bottom and start busting people for that crap. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/17 "2015-10-07T21:13:06Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > A variation on this that happens to me quite a bit… I’ll be trying to merge, and there will be some idiot matching my speed and sitting in my blind spot. Speed up, drop back, or move over! Similarly, as I’m driving down the road and somebody’s trying to merge, they will pull up alongside me, having matched course & speed with me _exactly._ If they had kept their foot on the gas for a few more seconds, they’d be ahead of me; if they had taken it off the gas a few seconds earlier, they’d be behind me, and in either case, they’d be free to merge. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/18 "2015-10-07T23:01:27Z")
I approve of the above messages. I also have to add my rant about inconsiderate asshole moron jerkoff dlido dipshits who don’t use their turn signals. What the fuck, people? Use them EVERY turn and EVERY lane change ALWAYS! ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/19 "2015-10-09T05:22:34Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Here in the Detroit area we have some older highways that still have on ramp/off ramp combos in a few places- so people are speeding up to get onto the highway and slowing down to exit the highway _in the same lane._ I hated the 94 East/23 North interchange outside Ypsi/Ann Arbor. Dreaded that coming home from work at 8 am. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737/20 "2015-10-09T06:04:46Z")
> [@OffByOne](#): > > One fine morning, I was already up to about 50 and had picked out my gap in traffic. When I looked back to the front, I was horrified to find that some fool was stopped at the end of the ramp, apparently waiting for the freeway traffic to offer up a chance to enter the freeway from a dead stop. > > Fortunately, I was able to stop in time before hitting the idiot, but that left me in the same situation. Right now there’s another guy complaining on a message board about the fact that some idiot in a diesel VW Rabbit stopped at the end of the ramp one fine morning. He was able to stop in time but that left him in the same situation. And on another message board there’s another guy… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-teach-the-world-to-merge-in-perfect-harmony/733737.md?page=2)