smokedummy wrote: When pulling the trailer, I prefer to just slow down however much it takes to help the on-ramp folks get on the highway. If I move over to the left lane, sometimes it takes a while to find a hole to move back to the right lane.
If I move over and the merging car decides to hang there to my right they will find me coming ever so slowly back over into the right lane, moves them every time! Sometimes it pays to be big enough to be a bully.
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I have a wimpy "after you my dear Alfonso" approach to driving in general. I leave plenty early and would rather let the "idiots" have the right of way then assert my right to it. However, with age, it is becoming harder to hold back my "Fried Green Tomato" urges. One of these days, I'm going to lose it, floor it, and give Alfonso a brutal booty call! It just won't happen when my beloved Colby T. Is hitched behind me. Man I love that little trailer!!
I try to keep in mind that not everyone is a courteous driver and that even I don't like being behind a trailer going 5 miles under the speed limit (especially when not pulling a trailer).
I try to move over when I can or speed up/slow down to aid the person coming on the road. I figure I will have a WAY better trip if I avoid an accident even if it means letting a creepy driver have their way.
Otherwise, I try to keep calm, not let it get to me, and get on my way to having a fun camping trip.
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needtono wrote: When traveling on an interstate and you are approaching an on ramp with a line of traffic, what do you do?? Yesterday, returning from a wonderful weekend, it was ruined by an idiot driver. I was approaching a on ramp, traffic was real heavy, I couldn't get into the left lane. I was doing 5 miles under the speed limit and had 4 car lengths in front of me. That didn't last long because as cars passed they cut in front of me. I got to the onramp and assuming they would have to stop because they have to yeild, boy was I wrong. They just kept coming and cut me off to the point I had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting a family of four. What do you do? Always get into the passing lane (if possible)or stay in the driving lane????
Don't you mean before they hit you? Maybe they wanted to buy you a new truck, and trailer.
It's not always easy for the merging vehicle to find a hole to pull into when the line of cars in the right lane won't slow down a little to make a hole. I find that the idiots are also in the right lane!
It is a dilemma however as you are typically dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. If a three or more lane highway, I will typically camp out in the #2 lane and try to not go too slow. If, however, I'm in the #1 lane (right lane) and there are lots of on-ramps, I will slow down right before the on-ramp to open a hole for the merging traffic. Many times, the merging vehicle isn't paying too close attention, I will give him a little blast of the air horns to wake him up.
Just do the best you can and be as courteous as you can. Remember, the on-ramp vehicle will be running out of room very quickly and really needs to get in your lane. Help him out.
Ron
* This post was
edited 05/07/12 10:10am by lanerd *
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Commercial truck drivers normally move over, or flash their head lights indicating you have enough room to go in front of them and they are aware of you. When you pass them they will flash their lights letting you know you have enough room to pull over into their lane. Common courtesy to flash your tail lights to thank them.
Who would've thought there is a code of courtesy out there on the road.
As the co-pilot I always watch the on ramp vehicles if we are unable or unwilling to get in the left lane. If they don't turn their head and look or if they are on their cell phone or texting (or reading a book!! yes, I saw that!!) then I give my DH a warning... they are not paying attention, watch them!! He blows the air horns if they start coming in our lane. One person on their cell was turning right into the side of our RV. Fortunately she turned her head before she hit us and swerved the other way. She ran off the road on the other side of the on ramp and almost caused a one-car accident!
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I do my best to move over or slow down and let them in. If I can do neither I will not do something that would endanger my family like making crazy turns and standing on the brakes. The other guy will lose the battle between my 15,000# outfit and there 3000# car. Vehicles can be fixed and they will slow down when they realize they are running out of ramp.
korbe wrote: I move to the left lane if possible. If I can't, it's up to the vehicles coming in to get up to speed and merge safely either in front, or behind me. But if they try and force me to move over when I can't, that's when I sit on the horn.
X2 X2
I can't believe the number of fools who are either unaware of what the on ramp acceleration lane is for or either they are just stupid, lazy or rude. I say install the largest loudest horn you can and lay on it.
I see it all the time around where I live when I'm out driving folks seem to not know the proper rules of the road relating to merging. My horn is really getting a workout.
I will move over if it looks like I can get back into the right lane soon after.
If it looks like I'll be stuck in the other lane, I'll just watch and read the merging traffic and determine if it's best to hold my line, or slow for them...
I'll usually slow down, just to get the exchange over with as soon as possible and I don't have to change lanes again..
IMO, if the merging cars would have the courtesy to use their turn signal, I'd be a little more tolerant of them and let them in every time!
I'd say less then half of the cars that merge actually use their turn signals to merge... What's interesting, is after they merge without using a turn signal, they will use it to change lanes...
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
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