Road Rage

[AustinBoston]

One problem on the roads is the way people merge into traffic. As I am driving down the expressway at 65 mph I am not required to slow down to let merging traffic in. Merging traffic needs to speed up to the speed I am moving in order to blend with traffic. I know someone will correct me if I am wrong here, but I am tired of coming to a stop on the road to let someone who is going slow into traffic. Even if I am pulling a trailer I need to be going the same speed as traffic to blend in with it.

If it is a true merge (i.e. has the word "merge" on the sign or has the two solid arrows joining into one arrow) then this is technically not correct.  Essentially, if the vehicle in your lane has gone, then you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle entering.  Meanwhile, if you are entering, after another vehicle has entered in front of you, you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle already on the road.  This is true for all merges (lane closures, lane ends, freeway entrances, etc.).

BTW, if there is no sign, then traffic on the right (usually, entering traffic) has the right of way!  In most cases where there is no sign, I have no doubt that the "Yield" or "Merging traffic" sign is missing.

From a practical point of view, it seems to make sense that it is not safe to try to merge into traffic if you are not up to traffic speed.  But in many cases, this is simply not possible.  For example, it is not reasonable to expect truckers to have a 1500 horsepower engine so that they can go from 0-60 in ten seconds.

My wife actually got rearended because some moron decided to stop at the end of the ramp and the guy behind her slammed into her at 45mph.

Sorry, that is ALWAYS the fault of the guy in back.  That's what "following too closely" and "inatentive driving" laws are for.

I am tired of people who will not go the speed limit. That is all I ask is go the speed limit, if you can't, then get off the road. Coming home a week ago driving down I90 thru Wisc where it is 2 lanes, we came upon traffic backed up as far as the eye could see going about 50-55mph (SL is 65mph).

The real problem isn't one slow driver, it's drivers that take their time passing.  It is perfectly safe and legal to go the minimum in a multi-lane highway.  If you don't like it, review your patience skills.  If you can't deal with a slower driver, you need to review your driving skills.  Note: In many western mountainous states, there are rules about allowing a parade to build up behind you, but they only apply on roads where passing is not possible.

By no means was I mad or upset, but we finally make it up to where the delay begins and there is an older couple (driver could barely see over the steering wheel) driving a dually pickup with a 30-40 foot 5er. Maybe I am weird, but cmon at least do the speed limit. I am not trying to set any land speed records towing my trailer.

I'd rather an older person be more cautious than drive faster than their skills are up to.  When they can't do the minimum, then it's time to give up the license, but until then I'm not going to deprive them of their driving priveledges or ask them to drive too fast for their skills.

Also on the same trip I came up on a slow moving trailer in the right lane, a slow moving truck in the center lane,

Now you have a point.  There is a reason they call it the "slow" lane.  If you are going to go slow, get over to the right.

and I jumped over into the left lane. I was going the speed limit passing the truck which now decides to speed up. I turn on my signal to move over behind the truck when I notice this. A white car behind me, that I could only see part of the roof of over the pup, decides to jump over there just as I start moving over to that lane. Needless to say I scared to poop out of him by continuing to move over to that lane.  :yikes:

I know of no law that requires drivers to plan ahead, but some don't.  Obviously, this guy didn't.  I don't know any other way to label people like that than "stupid driver."  While I might have been kinder than you, he deserved the problem his driving created.

Austin

[CajunCamper]

Most of the highways were built for X number of cars and now 3X travel them.
When I got my license, the rule was 1 car length between cars for every 10 mph. Now that 6 car gap at 60 mph would be filled by 4 cars instantly. Leaving room for safety gets eaten by others that don't care.
Not sure if there is such a thing as a safe driving distance taught in drivers education anymore?

That is sooooooooo true. That gap will be taken up so quickly by those that don't think twice about tailgating.

[Jestercat]

In a situation like this, I would probably grab my cellphone, call 911 and report the drivers actions, vehicle description, license plate number, highway number, milepost number and direction of travel.  The call will be dispatched to the police and they will do a look-see.  If they see anything, they will stop them.  At the very least, reporting the other driver should help calm you down, and it's possible the other driver will be ticketed for some offense.

As a 911 dispatcher for the Ontario Provincial Police, first let me just say thank you!

The important things to remember when calling 911 on your cell are:

1.  Where you are (highway, road name, etc.  We can't look if we don't know where! :eyecrazy: )

2.  Direction of travel (sometimes officers can set up ahead to intercept the offender if they know where you are coming from/going to).

3.  Description of vehicle (colour, make, body style, etc.).  It really helps if there is something distinguishing about the offending vehicle, such as a bike rack, ladder on the roof, fancy graphics, etc.

4.  Licence plate (do NOT put yourself in danger trying to get it!! :eyecrazy: )

5.  Driver actions/speeds

6.  What you are driving (makes very easy for officers to spot the offender if they know the offender is driving infront of your vehicle/PUP)

The most important thing is your safety!!   As I already stated - DO NOT put you or your family in jeopardy trying to keep up or pace the offender!

If you can get a licence plate and are willing to speak to the officers even after the fact, the driver will be contacted and spoken to about their "habits" :swear:.

[mars00XJ]

If it is a true merge (i.e. has the word "merge" on the sign or has the two solid arrows joining into one arrow) then this is technically not correct.  Essentially, if the vehicle in your lane has gone, then you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle entering.  Meanwhile, if you are entering, after another vehicle has entered in front of you, you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle already on the road.  This is true for all merges (lane closures, lane ends, freeway entrances, etc.).

BTW, if there is no sign, then traffic on the right (usually, entering traffic) has the right of way!  In most cases where there is no sign, I have no doubt that the "Yield" or "Merging traffic" sign is missing.

From a practical point of view, it seems to make sense that it is not safe to try to merge into traffic if you are not up to traffic speed.  But in many cases, this is simply not possible.  For example, it is not reasonable to expect truckers to have a 1500 horsepower engine so that they can go from 0-60 in ten seconds.

Here is the quote straight from the Illinois Rules of the road.... " A driver must yield: to through traffic when approaching a MERGE sign. You must increase or decrease speed to avoid an accident." If I am in the right lane(thru traffic), I am in no way obligated to slow down or speed up to let the merging person in. That person must speed up or slow down to blend with traffic. I didnt see anything that said what to do when there is no sign.

Sorry, that is ALWAYS the fault of the guy in back. That's what "following too closely" and "inatentive driving" laws are for.

I fully understand this and he was at fault. Just dont stop at the end of a ramp unless there is a stop/yield sign.

I have had problems with my patience in the past, but now that I am getting older and can see that driving fast gets me nowhere any faster I am much more patient. (especially with the trailer)

[AustinBoston]

I have had problems with my patience in the past, but now that I am getting older and can see that driving fast gets me nowhere any faster I am much more patient. (especially with the trailer)

I still have problems with my patience, but I am getting better.  My kids, often after yelling at another driver, have heard me say "It's never, ever worth getting upset about something in traffic, whether or not the other person really was in the wrong."

I'm a lot calmer about traffic than I used to be, but I've got a ways to go.  That's one of the reasons I prefer public transportation; I don't have to worry about, think about, or even notice the existence of, the other idiots on the road.

Austin