https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:12:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-976198 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:30:46 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 976198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always go to the end of the lane and wait until it seems like there's a space to merge into. But it sounds like this lady was a big old c word. She was acting crazy!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-976110 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:58:35 +0000 FarmWifeGina 976110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: @StrawberryBee: Yeah, I don't live in a city, I have no idea whatsoever about rush hour or city traffic rules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975742 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:18:32 +0000 BSB 975742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StrawberryBee: Oh, sorry. This was a construction or accident merge? Ugh! That's so annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975733 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:15:27 +0000 StrawberryBee 975733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: agreed! This case was not a highway situation; I don't mind people merging off of an on-ramp because they have no choice in the matter; it's not their fault they're on the on ramp and it's ending. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975714 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:12:13 +0000 BSB 975714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, for construction and accidents, I get over as soon as possible safely. If the left lane is starting the back up and I can't get over safely (without slamming on my brakes), then I stay in that lane til I can.</p> <p>As for highway ramps and merging into rush hour traffic, I standby my rule of going all the way to the end of the lane to zipper in. (I say 'end of the lane', I don't make my own lane... I get annoyed with people when they do that.) If an on-ramp is meant to hold 10 cars and someone merges early and therefore only allows 5 cars on the ramp... it creates a backup. It's a domino affect. The traffic lights work with the metered ramps to make sure traffic is flowing. If someone merges super early and creates a backup, then it creates a backup elsewhere. Now, like I said, if you can quickly merge early without stopping the rest of the cars behind you then go ahead. It's not a problem in my book. I get annoyed when people merge early and stops traffic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975584 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:38:40 +0000 PurplePumps 975584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If everyone else is good about merging, then I follow suit and merge too, then sit in the middle and block the ending lane to make sure the one or two assholes don't make it by.<br /> If there is just a line of cars merging, I follow them and become part of the mass of jerks. Why be nice and merge early when half the road is waiting till the last minute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975452 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:09:53 +0000 pinkcupcake 975452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StrawberryBee: ahhhh this irritates me to no end. Seriously- did they not see the merge sign posted way back there?! Ugh. I feel ya. So. Annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975392 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:54:35 +0000 FarmWifeGina 975392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always felt like it's a matter of respect for the rules to get over as soon as you see the sign, at least in a freeway situation. Construction, accident, whatever, for the safety of the construction workers or emergency personnel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975334 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:40:14 +0000 StrawberryBee 975334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I think maybe her thought process was that she'd claim I rear ended her? Hence also the abrupt stops; she was trying to force a rear end. Either that or she was just trying to scare me. Eh, didn't work for either end result, thankfully ;).</p> <p>@KayKay: I actually wish there were clearer signs about what to do in these situations. If they developed a sign for here (I've never seen one) that specifically dictated what to do in a construction merge (one for one), then people would fill up both lanes and take turns moving forward. This makes sense to me, because no one is taking unfair advantage of it. In actuality we get the notice about the lane ending, everyone except for a few people merges over as traffic allows them, and the few who don't cram it up at the end. </p> <p>Whether you merge early or late on our roads it really doesn't affect the backup. Things still move just as slowly because there's no where to go; you're limited by the light up ahead and how many people are turning left. Traffic isn't blocking any intersections. So it comes across as the only reason those ten drivers are speeding up to the end is to cut the line and be 'first'. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975327 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:38:16 +0000 Caly 975327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: Ugh!!! No courtesy wave irks me, especially when I've gone out of my way &amp; was kind to let you in. Personally, I wave. </p> <p>The merging situation drives me INSANE. A lady almost hit me the other day b/c she wanted in my lane in the middle of an intersection (she decided to go straight instead of turn). If I hadn't slammed on my brakes, she would have hit me. I honked &amp; she put her arm out the window &amp; did a shoo-ing motion w/her hand like I was some kind of pesky ant. I laughed hysterically. She scowled. Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975104 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:40:10 +0000 Sammyfab 975104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in a city where there are a gazillion merging lanes that basically make for a hot mess of traffic (at least that's what I think). The general rule is to merge at the end and the one for one rule (which I'm learning is called the zipper rule!). People are generally really nice and 90% of the time give a courtesy wave.</p> <p>I actually think that merging at the beginning of the lane and holding up traffic behind you is way worse. If you can merge seamlessly without coming to a complete stop or cutting anyone off then that's way better!</p> <p>@StrawberryBee: what happened to you would have annoyed me to no end!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975047 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:21:54 +0000 Reese 975047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: I hate when people don't give the courtesy wave!</p> <p>I just let your late and lazy ass in - at least take the effort to give a thanks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975043 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:20:49 +0000 googly-eyes 975043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StrawberryBee: Didn't read the previous comments but yup that is ANNOYING! I admit I have been the one in the wrong before if I wasn't familiar with the roads and freaked out last minute, (of course then waving and calling myself an idiot and hoping the person somehow mysteriously understands that I'm being dumb, not mean, lol) but lots of times there are even signs ahead of time....and frankly, most of the time if it's in rush hour, it's people just trying to cut the line. And you can often tell who they are!!!</p> <p>ETA I guess after reading the comments I'm not thinking of the same situation...for some reason my brain went straight to not lane ending but lane turning into an exit... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975028 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:18:06 +0000 mrsjyw 975028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i read this yest. and i've been the guilty party before, so this AM i did the right thing by merging early.</p> <p>what happened? 3 CARS CUT ME OFF. ONE WAVED ME, the other two did not </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left/page/2#post-975022 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:17:04 +0000 singingbee 975022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: even if there is a sign that says "merge now"? </p> <p>That's what drives me bonkers. We've been warned that the lane is ending, there is a sign that says "merge now" and people still refuse to obey it. They keep driving past all the people who followed the rules and got in the right lane at the right time. </p> <p>@StrawberryBee: I would have been livid had I been in your shoes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974929 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:54:18 +0000 mediagirl 974929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>I'll be honest. If I'm in the car alone (and I wouldn't have done this while pregnant) I'll drive as if everything is normal and let them hit me if they want to. Their fault and I have insurance. So do they (more than likely). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974921 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:52:46 +0000 Sophia 974921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This pisses me off daily. I have some terrible road construction both ways of my commute right now and people are SO rude. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974916 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:51:32 +0000 KayKay 974916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In WV, when there is a lane closure, they actually have signs that tell you to use both lanes up until the merge point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974915 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:51:13 +0000 LuLu Mom 974915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I HATE THIS!!!! And I never let people in, never. My husband always says I'm mean for this, but we all see it so why should I let the person trying to cheat the system in, they can wait their turn like everyone else! As for her trying to reverse, um that's just stupid 1) it would be her fault, you can't do that! 2) it's just dangerous, and an accident in stand still traffic waiting to happen! Sorry you had to go through that :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974895 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:44:56 +0000 BSB 974895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, I can see both sides. I admit I have done both.</p> <p>I standby the zipper method. Go all the way to the end of the lane (where it is still a lane), put your blinker on and usually someone will give you enough space to merge.</p> <p>^^ this instance I have no problem with. It keeps traffic flowing and it doesn't create a back up.</p> <p>Instance 2 is when it happens and there is a car doing the zipper but is so far back in the lane that there is space for 5-6 cars ahead of that one car. That creates a back up on the ramp and therefore creates a mile long backup before the ramp and that's because only one or two cars are getting onto the ramp. All because this car merging too early. If you holding up traffic to merge early, that's not good in my book.</p> <p>We do have metered ramps here in Seattle but sometimes it lets too many people go when traffic is not moving.</p> <p>I lived in the suburbs of Philly for most of my life so I have seen how aggressive east coasters drive and I will take those drivers over the ones in Seattle. There maybe asshole drivers in PA but at least traffic continues to move. I've seen some crazy things happen while driving in Seattle.</p> <p>ETA- As for merging early, I only do it if there no traffic behind me or if I can merge quickly. </p> <p>My biggest pet peeve is when drivers don't use blinkers to turn or merge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974882 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:39:11 +0000 mrskc 974882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG, that lady sounds cray cray. I can't believe she tried to reverse into you. </p> <p>I always thought it best, when there is traffic, to fill the lane until it ends. What's the point of having an empty lane for half a mile? Then cars filter in one going, one letting one merge. This is what happens where I live. We don't have a lot of traffic though. I've learned to let go a lot of my anger while driving. I can't control the other drivers. It just makes driving more enjoyable for me if I don't let the crazies get to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974845 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:25:40 +0000 StrawberryBee 974845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: In this case I honked because she was inches away from hitting my car and I had to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. Not gonna lie, it was also for complaint purposes though ;).</p> <p>Oh, and I think that you can tell the perpetual people vs. the ones who just don't know (we've all been there!). People who really don't know how the road looks up ahead will generally start slowing down and put their turn signal on when they realize that their lane is ending. People who do it every day speed up and (it's been my experience) don't even bother with a turn signal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974819 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:18:47 +0000 Alivoo01 974819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate this!!! Everyone else has patiently waited in the same long ass line. Everyone else is just as anxious to get home/wherever they're going. Get your a** in line and wait like the rest of us!!! ARG!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974635 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:26:32 +0000 Modern Daisy 974635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On friday afternoons in NYC there are actually traffic cops stationed at all roads that lead into the lincoln tunnel to stop people from doing this and it's awesome. I won't even try to go through the tunnel if the cops aren't there. Because there is such a bottleneck situation with tons of streets and avenues filtering into the tunnel and only two lanes going out. If the cops aren't there, people do exactly what that woman did - they drive up as far as they can in the non-tunnel lane then shove their way in. I've sat in the same spot for close to three hours before while people did this. Because once you're in the 'correct' lane for entering the tunnel, you can't get out - you're sandwiched in, so even when you realize that it's hopeless you're still stuck. We once had some scumbag chauffer driver get out of his escalade and walk up to us screaming about us 'cutting him off', he was not expecting my DH to get out of our car and walk towards him, he immediately got scared and ran back. He claimed we scratched his car, but that is a total joke since HE rammed into US and he was in a huge black escalade and we were in our tiny silver jetta. Oh, I will not miss the traffic in this city when we finally move! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974619 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:17:41 +0000 mamimami 974619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>PS Don't get me started on honking AFTER the incident. It does nothing but make you look like a sore loser! (Coming from someone who's done it more times than I'd like to admit. But it's the truth.) Honking is to avoid an imminent accident. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974613 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:15:56 +0000 mamimami 974613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I see both sides on this one! As an gringa in Mexico City, it drives me nuts HOW MANY people do this. And if I'm in a really bad mood, I tailgate the person in front of me and avoid eye contact. </p> <p>But you know what, when it's been me in the other person's situation (you can't KNOW if they are new to the area, lost, confused or whatever), that person who doesn't offer the common courtesy of letting you in just looks like such a small, insecure, angry child. And I don't like looking like that. </p> <p>So, I try (TRY!!) to offer a little bit of grace to people, by letting one person in, and it's less stressful for me and keeps traffic flowing better. I highly recommend this! It's been good for the blood pressure :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974567 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:01:19 +0000 delight 974567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate this more than anything when driving. People think they are more important than everyone else, that their time is more valuable, that they have right to scoot in front. Nothing else about driving makes me as mad as this exact scenario! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974468 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 07:24:00 +0000 StrawberryBee 974468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: interesting, this is the first I've heard of the 'zipper rule'. Does it only apply to lanes ending due to construction, or does it apply to normal situations as well? And who bears the burden of fault/who has right of way?</p> <p>@jetsa: thanks for the info! This was my understanding; merging safely. Suddenly flinging your vehicle into mine (not even looking, not applying turn signal, just literally being next to me and then starting to put yourself into the space I'm currently occupying) when you've seen the big flashing arrow way back is dangerous. I do not mind it as much when you take a moment to pause, put your turn signal on, and ease yourself into an opening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974427 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 07:03:03 +0000 Weagle 974427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: I've always heard this too. The book Traffic talks about it. Interesting read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lane-ends-merge-left#post-974415 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 06:54:59 +0000 jetsa 974415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: This isn't what I was taught and as a person who works in road construction, its makes it more difficult/stressful for me when people do not merge promptly upon seeing the lane ending sign.</p> <p>ETA:<br /> Question: In USA what is the law on merging traffic who has the right of way merging traffic or traffic flow?<br /> Answer:In most instances a lane of travel will be marked as the lane that is merging with the other lane or lanes. If so, the lane that is NOT ending has the right of way. When entering a freeway or Interstate roadway, the traffic already on the main lanes of travel has the right of way and the entering traffic has the duty to "merge" safely with the traffic already flowing on the main lanes.<br /> <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_USA_what_is_the_law_on_merging_traffic_who_has_the_right_of_way_merging_traffic_or_traffic_flow" rel="nofollow">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_USA_what_is_the_law_on_merging_traffic_who_has_the_right_of_way_merging_traffic_or_traffic_flow</a> </p>