I go two separate places for work. Last semester, no matter which one I was going to, I had to go through an intersection under construction. Inevitably the traffic would be forced down to one lane that everyone had to squeeze through. And what inevitably happens in that case? Just about 99% of drivers merge over to the designated lane as soon as absolutely possible. And then they get mad and almost hit the 1% of drivers who understand theory of traffic and do not merge until they absolutely have to. Are you the 99%?
What is theory of traffic? Theory of traffic states that the more lanes of traffic available the faster traffic will go. Imagine LA with only two lanes of traffic in each direction on the freeway. How fast would that go? On second thought, we probably shouldn’t imagine that.
Which is quicker, two lanes worth of cars combined into one lane for a mile or for 100 yards? Theory of traffic says the latter. And if you think about it for even half a second, you’ll have to agree.
Theory of traffic says that the 1% of people who are waiting until the last possible moment to merge through a construction zone are helping traffic move along quicker. And if the other 99% of people understood that, construction zones wouldn’t take so long to get through.
Be in the 1%. Merge when traffic laws say you have to, not when the old lady in the straw hat gives you the evil eye. Perhaps we can switch the ratios. Together, we can make a difference.
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
Do you even realize how anti-social you’re being right now?! :brett:
Anti-social? What’s so anti-social about helping people get to their destination faster? :lisa:
I’m sorry but I’m with the 99 on this one. I don’t like it when someone cuts in at the last minute. They should have gotten in line with the rest of us. I don’t mind moving slow when I’m in the right lane. :car: :car: :car: :tractor: :car: 🙂
A proper merge is alternating cars per lane. It’s not cutting in if it’s a proper merge.
I’m the old lady in the straw hat giving you the evil eye. In reality I stick my tounge out at people that merge at the last minute, so watch out. (I really do, and it makes me feel better). :annoy:
If they (being the traffic gods) wanted you to wait until the last minute to merge, why do they post signs about a mile away warning you the other lane is going to disappear?
If they wanted you to merge a mile away why didn’t they set up the cones and close the lane clear back there?
I don’t think she’s going to be dissuaded on this one. :brett:
That is one of pet driving peeves — people waiting until the last second to try to merge. When Dad was driving, if another truck was beside him, they would crowd that lane and not let people do that. It made traffic flow a lot smoother.
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