Why do drivers do this?

Question

Why do people creep up the on-ramp at 30-40mph when they know that they will need to be merging with on-coming traffic? The on-coming traffic is moving at 65-80mph. I see this everyday and wonder why people don't realize this. Anybody know?

Answer 1

People in the right lane are supposed to move over to let you in, we are taught that you are supposed to be up to speed, least 50-55 by the time you are at the merge point. experienced drivers like myself can get up to speed and be in the left lane passing all the slow pokes by then. but the ones in the right lane are supposed to yield and move over into right or middle lane, it is just the law of the road...its in my drivers manual, dont know about yours.

Answer 2

Because of those people driving 65-80 in the lane closest to the merge lane. I don't know if I'm going to have a spot to merge in or not when I get there - what if I have to wait a second for an opening in traffic? The merge lane does not mean you automatically get to merge in at any second that you choose. It means WAIT until there's an opportunity for you to merge in without disrupting the flow of traffic.

Answer 3

You don't merge with ONCOMING!!!!
If you have oncoming traffic, you went up an off-ramp.
Go back to driver's Ed. They should teach this:

Because in most cases, that is the recommended speed for the ramp. Says so on the yellow sign you don't read.

Also, merging traffic is required to YIELD. If there isn't a hole for you, what do you do at 60mph? Crash?

Answer 4

Easy,most aren't really paying attention,or lack the skills of merging into traffic(scared)I drive a truck and it annoys me when someone comes speeding up the ramp,Ill usually back of to let them ease in front of my rig,they at the last minute decide to look in their mirror,Hesitate and slow us both dangerously down to the point I have to mash it and they end up blocked or stopped,if only they could think and merge easily

Answer 5

I see this all the time also. if you watch you will see most drivers want to merge immediately instead of running the merge lane out to the merge point.. Timid people with slow brains and cars

Answer 6

I think it is primarily due to the fact that they need time to survey the traffic. Other folks may be slower to react than you or I and then you have to consider the skills of one driver compared to another.

Then there is the factor of layout where the sight lines may be more challenging for some drivers. Another thing to consider is that there are people driving out there that do it only out of necessity and are intimidated by it.

I just turned 47 and noticed in recent years that it is becoming more difficult for me to see at night - especially if it is raining.

It can be due to a number of reasons but I try to tell myself that the slow driver in front of me is better for me that the impatient one behind me.

Answer 7

On-coming traffic is a head on collision.
People are problably hesitant to get run over on the slow lane, here in N CA it is slower

Answer 8

if ppl came hurling in at 60mph from an on ramp there'd be more accidents...come on...ppl need time to survey the scene check the blind spot and merge...checking the blind spot has saved my butt many times

Answer 9

THEY LACK THE SELF CONFIDENCE TO PROPERLY DRIVE AND KNOW THEY CAN DO IT . BY GOING SLOW IF WORSE COMES TO WORSE THEY CAN STOP IN TIME , WITH OUT MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ( IT'S THERE SAFE HAVEN ) .

Answer 10

Not everyone is Speed Racer like you! Relax. When you get onto the highway, then you can pass that driver. Geez!