^
Of course they don't align that nicely. What's your point?
And I'm not getting upset at people who take action at bringing the two a little closer -- that's what I've been doing. You, on the other hand, are advocating dangerous vigilante shit. If you think your driving in both lanes at the same time vigilante crap is merely taking action at bringing theory and practice a little closer -- at making roads safer -- you've completely failed.

5/13/2010 3:07:19 PM

Quote :

"Passing as many cars as possible and waiting until the last second to merge is NOT a dickhead move in this type of scenario -- the lane is open, therefore use it. Period. Regardless of what happens, the merge occurs somewhere, and you might as well fill up the road -- what's the point of having road that no one's supposed to drive on? Every foot of lane all the way up to where it merges into an adjacent lane should be used by traffic."

I'd have to say this depends...mostly on the retards taking their sweet ass time. Allow me to explain in a few examples I encounter almost daily:

Example #1: In my morning commute I turn left off Kent Road onto Western. The left turn lane is always backed up (and could be mostly fixed if the NC DOT traffic light programmers had any intelligence whatsoever, but I digress...) so sometimes I'll go straight and then cut through the 76 gas station (illegal yes I know) or cut through on the first street on the left. Well sometimes when I'm driving straight some knucklehead in the left turn lane is lagging behind the car in front of them, which allows for a 2-3 car length gap. I have a small car, and if the opportunity presents itself I merge over. I don't plan to do this but if the spot opens I take it.

Example #2: In my afternoon commute I-40 is almost always backed up at the Wade Ave / 40 split. If traffic isn't that heavy the Wade Ave lanes are moving okay while the I-40 lanes are backed up, mainly at the bottom of the hill (I guess b/c idiots like to slow down for hills?). Sometimes the I-40 lanes aren't as heavily congested at the top right before the actual split. As my commute home is just slightly longer if I take Wade Ave sometimes I'll drive up the Wade Ave side. However, if there's a big opening between cars on the I-40 side I might shoot over at the last minute. If there is no opening I just stay on Wade Ave. Some people might take offense to this but I don't know why.

5/13/2010 3:07:57 PM

using signals and taking hte bluetooth out your ear might make ppl more patient with you...

JUST SAYIN

5/13/2010 3:10:52 PM

^oh yeah...btw I always use turn signals when making said maneuvers above. (always use them for everything)

5/13/2010 3:12:17 PM

Quote :

"Dilemma The results of the UNL study (footnote 1) indicate that both the Early Merge and Late Merge provide safer merging operations than the conventional merge. Both systems were observed to have lower merging conflict rates than the conventional merge. But, there is a concern about the potential for driver confusion at the merge point of the Late Merge, especially under high-speed, low-volume conditions, which could adversely affect safety. On the other hand, the Late Merge was found to have a higher capacity than the conventional merge and the Early Merge(footnote 1). The Late Merge's higher capacity and larger queue storage area reduce the probability of congestion extending back beyond the advance warning signs; thus, reducing the potential of rear-end collisions on the approach to the work zone. The higher capacity also reduces the duration of congestion, which in turn reduces the exposure to rear-end collisions. In addition, because of its higher capacity, the Late Merge reduces congestion delay; whereas, the Early Merge has been found to increase travel times, especially under high traffic volumes (footnotes 3,4). Based on these findings, the best system of merge control during peak periods is the Late Merge. However, because of the safety concerns regarding its operation under high-speed, low-volume conditions, the Late Merge may not be the best system during off-peak periods. Therefore, in order to maintain optimum merging operations at all times, it would be necessary to convert from the conventional merge during periods of uncongested flow to the Late Merge during periods of congested flow. In other words, a Dynamic Late Merge would be needed."

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workshops/accessible/McCoy.htm

Quote :

"Results of the computer simulations showed the late merge produced a statistically significant increase in throughput volume for only the 3-to-1-lane closure configuration and was beneficial across all factors for this type of closure. For the 2-to-1 and 3-to-2 lane closure configurations, the late merge increased throughput when the percentage of heavy vehicles was large. Field tests showed similar trends with regard to throughput. Although throughput increased, the increase was not statistically significant because of the limited number of heavy vehicles at the site. More drivers were in the closed lane, indicating a response to the late merge signs. Time in queue was also reduced, although the reductions were not statistically significant. The authors conclude that the late merge should be considered for 3-to-1 lane closure configurations but not until a sound methodology for deployment has been developed and tested in the field. For the 2-to-1 and 3-to-2 configurations, the late merge should be implemented only when the percentage of heavy vehicles is at least 20 percent."

http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/05-r6.pdf

There are mixed results on the ideal merging pattern. I wouldn't argue using late merge for a dropped lane, however (I'm not sitting through 2 or 3 light rotations because I don't want to pass people in a lawful lane of travel).

Also a driver being passed has a duty to yield to the passer:

Quote :

"GS 20-149 (b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle while being lawfully overtaken on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. Failure to comply with this subsection: (1) Is a Class 1 misdemeanor when the failure is the proximate cause of a collision resulting in serious bodily injury. (2) Is a Class 2 misdemeanor when the failure is the proximate cause of a collision resulting in bodily injury or property damage. (3) Is, in all other cases, an infraction"

So if somebody is passing you, honks their horn, and you speed up (even from a stop I presume) to close the gap, you are breaking the law and could be found negligent in a resulting accident. I have no doubt that you'd be found contributory negligent at the very least if you straddle the lines:

Quote :

"NC GS 20-146 (d) Whenever any street has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply. (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety."

5/13/2010 3:12:31 PM

Quote :

"using signals"

yes.

[Edited on May 13, 2010 at 3:13 PM. Reason : ]

5/13/2010 3:13:21 PM

^^nice!

5/13/2010 3:15:13 PM

20-149 only applies on two lane roads

5/13/2010 3:19:57 PM

Quote :

" 20-150.1. When passing on the right is permitted. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (2) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width which have been marked for two or more lanes of moving vehicles in each direction and are not occupied by parked vehicles;"

My argument would be at the merge point there isn't sufficient width nor are there usually lane markings any more.

5/13/2010 3:22:57 PM

Quote :

""Dilemma The results of the UNL study (footnote 1) indicate that both the Early Merge and Late Merge provide safer merging operations than the conventional merge. Both systems were observed to have lower merging conflict rates than the conventional merge. But, there is a concern about the potential for driver confusion at the merge point of the Late Merge, especially under high-speed, low-volume conditions, which could adversely affect safety. On the other hand, the Late Merge was found to have a higher capacity than the conventional merge and the Early Merge(footnote 1). The Late Merge's higher capacity and larger queue storage area reduce the probability of congestion extending back beyond the advance warning signs; thus, reducing the potential of rear-end collisions on the approach to the work zone. The higher capacity also reduces the duration of congestion, which in turn reduces the exposure to rear-end collisions. In addition, because of its higher capacity, the Late Merge reduces congestion delay; whereas, the Early Merge has been found to increase travel times, especially under high traffic volumes (footnotes 3,4). Based on these findings, the best system of merge control during peak periods is the Late Merge. However, because of the safety concerns regarding its operation under high-speed, low-volume conditions, the Late Merge may not be the best system during off-peak periods. Therefore, in order to maintain optimum merging operations at all times, it would be necessary to convert from the conventional merge during periods of uncongested flow to the Late Merge during periods of congested flow. In other words, a Dynamic Late Merge would be needed.""

(Footnote 1)= my traffic engineering professor. They're talking about different signage strategies at highway work-zones, not about which way is best for you to drive your car when merging.

That's kinda tangerines to oranges as far as this discussion goes.

[Edited on May 13, 2010 at 3:24 PM. Reason : []

5/13/2010 3:23:47 PM

I'd love to be a traffic engineer. The behavior of traffic on roads fascinates me.

5/13/2010 3:28:43 PM

Quote :

"Example #1: In my morning commute ... in the left turn lane is lagging behind the car in front of them, which allows for a 2-3 car length gap. I have a small car, and if the opportunity presents itself I merge over. I don't plan to do this but if the spot opens I take it."

One time I did this on my way home (different road) and the woman that I got in front of was seriously pissed about it. So pissed she followed me home, riding my ass all the way, and then screamed some shit. I calmly told her to fuck off but inside I was all "WTF?" Those 2 examples don't bother me at all if I'm the falling back person, especially if the person that gets ahead wants to go faster than I do. I might get on my nerves if they went less than the speed limit.

5/13/2010 3:35:41 PM

IBTRAGGEDJOKES

5/13/2010 3:43:55 PM

Quote :

"One time I did this on my way home (different road) and the woman that I got in front of was seriously pissed about it. So pissed she followed me home, riding my ass all the way, and then screamed some shit. I calmly told her to fuck off but inside I was all "WTF?" Those 2 examples don't bother me at all if I'm the falling back person, especially if the person that gets ahead wants to go faster than I do. I might get on my nerves if they went less than the speed limit."

I'd never lead someone like this to my house. Just pull into a parking lot if you want to let them make a jackass of themselves. The last thing I want is for my neighbors to witness that (whether I did something wrong or not) or for a disgruntled driver to come back in the middle of the night and vandalize my car.

5/13/2010 4:01:22 PM

One block from where this:

Quote :

"Last night: At the stop light on the corner of Chapel Hill and Maynard. I get the green light, along with about 10 other cars, to cross Chapel Hill. We all make it about halfway through the intersection when some guy decides that he can go during his red light. He ended up blocking my lane and forcing me to swerve and almost hit the guy who is in the lane to the left of me. The whole time I was laying on my horn going WTF WTF! Apparently, he thought it was his turn to go even though he had a RED LIGHT and began laying on his horn and continued to try and move forward as I passed by the front of his car. Finally, after about four cars had passed he he realized that it was -obviously- not his turn to go and backed up. "

happened yesterday, I was stopped at a red light in the right lane, and the car next to me decided he wanted to be in my lane when the traffic started moving. So without a signal or looking or anything he just whipped over into my lane, missing my car by about 3 inches.

I seriously may just not leave my house for a while.

5/13/2010 6:53:37 PM

UGH

people who block intersections but especially during rush hour

do you SEE the traffic backed up? maybe you should stop and wait and make sure you can make it across before you block 4 lanes of traffic when the light changes and then look pissed when people honk at you

5/13/2010 6:55:41 PM

I love how they give the tests in Spanish....that really doesn't help when a sign says "U-turn must yield to right turn" and the peeps are pulling out in front of you on a protected right turn

5/13/2010 7:35:10 PM

saw a car get backed into in front of tobacco rd last night. didnt get the license but may have other info that may help find who it was if anyone knows whos car got hit

5/13/2010 7:55:40 PM

Quote :

"IBTRAGGEDJOKES"

WUT

5/13/2010 8:07:16 PM

lol jk jk bro.

5/13/2010 8:13:00 PM

indy, there is a BIG difference between ideal situations and how the real world operates.

Yes, in an ideal world you would want to fill the lanes and zipper in 1 for 1. I experienced that pattern for the first time in my life going through the downtown tunnel heading into Norfolk, VA last month. The problem is 99% of people don't use it and thus a different social norm is applied. If the rest of the world is obviously merging ahead of time you flying by everybody else is a dick move - especially if your tire so much as touches a solid line.

I had a discussion with the woman today about how it's considered rude to eat with your elbows on the table. That's a pretty dumb rule considering how convenient it is to have your elbows on the table... you keep your food right there at your mouth; it is very efficient. We looked up the rule and found out it is based on an old way of eating and there simply wasn't enough room on a table for you to rest your elbows. Sure, it's a dumb rule now... but i'll continue not resting my elbows on the table just like every body else even though the alternative is much better.

5/13/2010 10:09:20 PM

http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/22722


[Edited on May 13, 2010 at 10:21 PM. Reason : /close thread.]

5/13/2010 10:21:46 PM

When I think of merging, I always think of Walnut/Holly Springs Rd in Cary near the big church.

Nothing wrong with getting in the right lane, especially when the left lane is 20 cars deep. I would think the optimal solution would be to get as many cars through the Tryon Rd intersection as possible.

As soon as I get through the light, I'm instantly looking for a chance to merge. If you're waiting until the lane turns into the turn lane for the church, or pass the lane and end up riding on the shoulder to merge later, you're doing it wrong. I kind of wish that shoulder didn't exist...if you can't merge, turn into the church, make a U-turn in the lot, and go on your merry way. People don't see to understand the concept.

5/13/2010 11:25:11 PM

I'll share this even though it's my sister's story.

Background, she found a car parked on top of her bumper in the parking lot. She calls the cops. Hilarity ensues.

Quote :

"Dude, epic story... Mom was there to confirm the CRAZINESS of this woman. She parked in a parallel spot on top of my bumper and then just left it there. I got a cop to come see it, she came back to her car and I told her what she did to which she replied "No I didn't, your car wasn't even there when I parked" Best part about it though (after she yelled at the cops, called me white trash, and mom a con artist)... we had just come from the Aveda school to get our hair done (which she had too). The girl who cut her hair was waiting at the exit of the lot to ask us what happened... when we explained she said "Well, if it makes you feel better she was being a bitch and called me goth so I gave her a mullet." WIN"

5/13/2010 11:30:31 PM

Maybe you shouldn't leave your car under other people's bumpers.

5/13/2010 11:42:37 PM

I got passed in a single lane rotary today. Yes, the driver was a woman.

5/13/2010 11:44:47 PM

lol, holy shit man.

5/14/2010 8:27:34 AM

this looks like a TSB thread.

5/14/2010 8:29:52 AM

Quote :

"saw a car get backed into in front of tobacco rd last night. didnt get the license but may have other info that may help find who it was if anyone knows whos car got hit"

You really should have left a note on the car that was hit with your contact information if they want to pursue the hit and run.

5/14/2010 10:23:50 AM

Quote :

"I love how they give the tests in Spanish."

For the 10 or 12 that bothered to get their license. I wonder if insurance paperwork is in espanol as well.

5/14/2010 10:38:24 AM

Of course insurance paperwork is in Spanish. You know a for profit business isn't going to ignore the needs of a huge segment of the market.

5/14/2010 10:41:25 AM

Quote :

"Maybe you shouldn't leave your car under other people's bumpers."

hahaha this is pretty much what I said to her in response

5/14/2010 11:27:43 AM

Saw a guy after a stop light go green floor it, pass me on the left, swerve in front of me to pass the guy to the left of me, then jump 4 lanes to get in the farthest left turn lane at a red light.

Time saved- 0 seconds.
Gas wasted- .05 gallons.
Lives put at risk - at least 3.

Worth it? No.

I fucking hate people who race to red lights. There's no fucking point.

5/14/2010 1:18:05 PM

You'd be hating even harder if he blew through a light as it turned yellow and you got stuck sitting there like a sucker while he cruised down the road with the wind blowing and the radio turned up.

5/14/2010 2:06:19 PM

You'd be hating even harder than ^ if you're drivin' along, the kids start shouting from the back seat, "I gotta go to the bathroom, Daddy!" "Not now, damn it!" Truck tire idiot driver. EEEEEEEE! I CAN'T STOP! There's a cliff! AAAAAHH! And your family's screaming, "Oh my God, we're burning alive!" "No! I can't feel my legs!" Here comes the meat wagon. And the medic gets out and says, "Oh my God". New guy's around the corner puking his guts out. All because you some guy wants to save a couple extra pennies seconds.

5/14/2010 2:25:25 PM

Quote :

"Saw a guy after a stop light go green floor it, pass me on the left, swerve in front of me to pass the guy to the left of me, then jump 4 lanes to get in the farthest left turn lane at a red light. Time saved- 0 seconds. Gas wasted- .05 gallons. Lives put at risk - at least 3."

I'm not seeing the whole "lives put at risk" part of that story? Quit whining like a baby.


I'd like to throw out a big collective "fuck you" to all the pricks driving around in the monsoon during the evening rush hour without their headlights on...especially the silver and gray cars

5/17/2010 9:10:20 PM

ATTN SUV and large truck drivers everywhere: the fact that your front license plate is level with my roofline does NOT entitle you to bring said license plate within 6 inches of my car. I will not drive faster just because you are in a hurry.

ALSO: WOMEN: not all of you are bad drivers. there's probably a few of you (somewhere) that can drive like you're NOT being mauled by a bear while you're trying to drink your starbucks and make a rolling right turn on red..

OLD PEOPLE AND ASIANS: take the bus. you'll get there faster and you won't kill anyone in the process.

5/17/2010 10:28:20 PM

Here's to the asshole in the dark blue Toyota Yaris going 55 in the left lane of I-40. And when I-40 and Wade Ave merged and that extra left lane appears, he went over into THAT LANE and cruised on at 5 under the limit.

Thanks for being a douche and disrupting traffic flow.

5/18/2010 10:20:41 AM

you pull out in front of me (nobody behind me) so you are obviously in a hurry

BUT

you drive SLOWER than I already was. So not in a hurry. Thus, why did you have to pull out in front of me?

5/18/2010 3:42:56 PM

On Friday this guy got so mad he spit at me. The really awesome thing was that he did so from the driver's seat of his volvo towards me on his right so most of it landed in his car somewhere with maybe a drop or two making it out the window and not a bit getting anywhere near my car. He was seriously wound up.

5/18/2010 3:48:29 PM

i love it when someone speeds up to keep me from merging onto the interstate, only to get passed once I get into the left lane

5/18/2010 3:52:17 PM

^

5/18/2010 5:18:08 PM

Quote :

"You really should have left a note on the car that was hit with your contact information if they want to pursue the hit and run"

I would have, but i was getting a ride with someone else that wanted to leave and they didnt want to have anything to do with it.

5/18/2010 5:39:59 PM

http://www.newbernsj.com/news/bodycopyrag-87539-class-french.html

check out this story of beer truck hanging off bridge and the driver was looking at the water below. yea, this happened in new bern and traffic was at a stand-still on hwy 70.

5/18/2010 11:07:50 PM

So I'm driving on Tryon today near RGA going out towards 70/401 where it's one lane with no passing lanes. Behind an old silver Buick going 23 mph the ENTIRE way. I did my shit out that I needed to and somehow, some way I got back behind the SAME FUCKING CAR again going no faster than 23 mph.

Same car both ways? After being out for over an hour? How is that even possible. The driver of that car might as well have gotten out of his car and slapped me in the face repeatedly.

5/19/2010 3:41:43 PM

look if you can't do the speed limit, and i start passing you, don't think you're gonna block me by speeding up unless you're willing to take it all the way cause I'll hit 110 in the wrong lane once my mind is made up that passing you is required, but on the off chance you DO speed up and block me, I will merge into your car and push you out of my way.

signed,

Mr. I-Need-To-Merge

5/19/2010 3:50:57 PM

^^ haha. did it have a florida license plate? those buicks often do.

i would like to live in a city where i don't need a car please.

i'm also kinda shocked at how many people are unable to park between the lines. it really isn't hard. i also hate people who park their BIG ASS trucks in compact car spots. those are probably the people who hit my car while parking and pull the bumper off and leave a sweet mark on the side of my car then peace out without a note. that has happened to me twice now so now my front bumper looks super homeless because i haven't taken it to get fixed yet.

i REALLY want to live somewhere where i can walk everywhere or use public transportation.

[Edited on May 19, 2010 at 3:53 PM. Reason : .]

5/19/2010 3:53:12 PM

^we might need a thread for shitty parkers. Plus given that just about all of us have cell phone cameras every post could be accompanied by a pic

Also, this is why (when able) I always park way back from the store where nobody else parks.

5/19/2010 4:07:45 PM

nvidia drivers are the worst!

5/19/2010 4:08:12 PM

^

5/19/2010 4:19:50 PM