WHEN DO YOU MERGE?

[After writing the following, I recalled writing about this in a
previous post. You may wish to compare. How do they hold up?]

There has been some discussion regarding when it is best to merge when a lane is ending for roadwork (or whatever).

Inevitably, a sign advises drivers that a lane will end a fair distance before it actually ends. It generally gives no instruction as to what drivers ought to do before that point. (?)

Some are of the opinion that it means to get into the thru lane, n-o-w. Acting on that assumption, those who move over immediately create a disparity in volume of traffic between the two lanes. They create one lane bogged down in creeping, b-to-b traffic, and another lane that is left with plenty of room-to-zoom.

I have, at times, come over a hill (or around a curve) to be greeted by such a scene. What to do? Hmmm...

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so does traffic. The vacuum will suck traffic along, passing the displeased, disturbed, and disgusted drivers in the creepy lane. Can't be helped. Law of nature.

Just as naturally, when the point is reached that civilized merging ought to occur, we have drivers who are steamed and feeling dissed; they have no desire to allow someone to merge in front of them. It is an understandable desire to get even. It is just as understandable that the other drivers expect a civilized alternate merge.

Do we really need this kind of aggravation?

It is so easy to avoid.

Since there is no reason to let perfectly good pavement go to waste, let the drivers maintain both lanes up to the merge point. No vacuum will be created. No one must feel slighted or disrespected. We all travel at about the same speed. Instead of seeing cars zoom by, we see fellow humans alongside. We accept that we are all in this, together, and there is no reason for discourtesy.

All that is needed is a sign that this is what is expected of us.

We're in the same boat;
So follow what's wrote.
All on the same page,
Not needing the rage.
Doesn't that get your vote?

************************

PITHY PLATITUDE OF THE POST

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
- Chinese Proverb

************************

Feel free to visit the GRIDLOCKSMITH website.
Still under construction, but hard hats are not needed.