what'd i do wrong?

[dcen]

damn so much beef going around... as for merging just do it adjust according to traffic.

if traffic is flowing then gradually speed up to highway speeds, while on ramp, and merge accordingly. If there is a car on the highway going traveling at the same pace as you slow down a bit and merge in behind him. if they're a decent distance away from the ramp entrance then speed up so when you get on the highway they don't have to slam on their brakes and almost rear end you.

if traffic is pretty heavy then enter the ramp at a less rapid speed. adjust to the highway.

i have seen cars backed up at entrance ramp so many times because one person didn't TIME their entrance well and end up coming to a full stop. once you come to that stop at the 'yield' sign ur pretty much fucked. cause ur trying to merge with cars that are going 60-70 mph while your at a full stop. even if your on a bike, it'll be pretty damn hard to get up to those speeds and merge with cars going fast.

with everything said everyone is familiar the laws and everyone can read the damn speed limit signs or yield signs. however, most people realize that laws aren't all that practical and we all have our own set of laws and methods of driving. for example, i normally don't speed but on mass pike everyone goes like 70-80 even with the posted speed at 65. so what do i do? i follow the flow of traffic. any faster and you'll start seeing red and blue, any slower and u'll be getting run off the road/honked at/get passed while getting dirty looks/u get the point.

just chill with the hateful comments and adjust to traffic!

_____________________________________

edit: sorry if i repeated anything someone else said, i was probably typing this up while you made your responses.

[bigred875]

Jay, I know you are trying to make a point because you hate my politic views and the way i debate...but you hardlineing on this is silly. It's like saying you cannot break the speed limit when trying to pass someone...sure the laws say it is illegal, but in order to be fluid with everyone around you it is necessary

• Make sure you are in the proper lane well in advance so you can safely enter or exit the
highway.
• Yield the right-of-way to drivers already on the highway.
• As you approach and enter a highway travel lane, increase your
speed to match that of vehicles already on the road.

this is awfully difficult is you are stopped on the on ramp

[Hoss]

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/chapter4.pdf

Leave it to Chris to cloud this perfectly good thread up with facts.

[MissTwisties]

either speed up, slow down or move over and give them as much room as you can...

And I thought they were teaching the opposite in classes...

Most people will be courteous and move over, but you don't have to.

[catch2otwo]

And I thought they were teaching the opposite in classes...

Most people will be courteous and move over, but you don't have to.

yep most will move over or speed up/slow down in order to let you merge safely. all for the good of traffic flow. then you have the assholes like 04zrx that wont let you on just cause they have the right not to.

[bigred875]

And I thought they were teaching the opposite in classes...

Most people will be courteous and move over, but you don't have to.

that isn't how i was taught in drivers ed...

it doesnt make sense to me why you wouldn't automatically get out of someones way...i mean what do you want them to do? Stop? then what happens? If everyone had this mindset no one would get anywhere during rush hour...

when i see someone entering the highway and can tell if they keep going at their rate we will collide i either, move over, speed up or slow down.

dont you think the person getting on the highway has enough going on?? Why not make it easier for everyone...it is a to easier for you to adjust what you are doing then someone getting on to the highway....

[MissTwisties]

yep most will move over or speed up/slow down in order to let you merge safely. all for the good of traffic flow. then you have the assholes like 04zrx that wont let you on just cause they have the right not to.

I hear you...I move over whenever I can to let someone on.

But this is part of ChR1s posted link:

"When you see a YIELD sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists,
and pedestrians, pass before you enter the intersection or join another roadway. You must
come to a complete stop if traffic conditions require it."

As stated, "Slow down and be prepared to STOP" ...a driver already on the highway don't have to move over, speed up or slow down to let someone on the highway. But for the "good" of traffic flow, it is a courteous thing to do, bu NOT obligatory and you cannot be given a ticket for not doing so, is all I'm saying.

[bigred875]

I hear you...this is part of ChR1s posted link:

"When you see a YIELD sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists,
and pedestrians, pass before you enter the intersection or join another roadway. You must
come to a complete stop if traffic conditions require it."

As staed, you don't have to move over, speed up or slow down to let someone on the highway. BUt for the "good" of traffic flow, it is the courteous thing to do.

this goes back to the use of the yield sign....how many pedestrians and bicyclists do you deal with getting on and off the highway?

imo this is the "in town" definition of the yield sign and not the highway use...

this is were common sense(or a new "highway yeild" sign) comes into place.

[Awesome]

anyone...ANYONE who comes to a stop on an onramp because there is a yeild sign should have their tires slashed and license taken away.
Ofcourse, this is assuming highway traffic is at normal speeds and not stopped dead because two douchebags ran into each other and caused the 100th accident of the day.

Why stop there? Maybe you should drag them out of their car and beat them with a club for driving in accordance with the law and not the way you want them to?

[Kham]

about fuckin time yall came out of the woods... left me hanging... i knew i have some comon sense.

so basically that's what i did and got yelled at by some rookie cop. then someone with old memory got pissed off. just great. one thing i learn is not post a mistake for sympathy here. doesn't mean i can't admit it. you just will never hear it.

got it new guys? good.

[ChR1s]

about fuckin time yall came out of the woods... left me hanging... i knew i have some comon sense.

so basically that's what i did and got yelled at by some rookie cop. then someone with old memory got pissed off. just great. one thing i learn is not post a mistake for sympathy here. doesn't mean i can't admit it. you just will never hear it.

got it new guys? good.

In my experience, a thorough understanding of the laws is an asset when contesting a traffic violation citation. While a "common sense" argument may be to your advantage while before a clerk magistrate, it's usually interpretation of the law that's key while before a judge.

[seth399]

Why stop there? Maybe you should drag them out of their car and beat them with a club for driving in accordance with the law and not the way you want them to?

And for the billionth time, sarcasm is not detected online. Would I really add slashing tires to the punishment? No, but anyone who stops on an onramp is insane and probably shouldn't have a license. But what Do I know about driving...

[CEO]

Right of way is something you give, not take... according to the RMV.

However... no one gives it, so everyone takes it, so... umm.... yeah lots of accidents.

[hammadown]

I think the point people are trying to make here is yes letting people in is the way to do it etc. However not all on ramps have the visibility to see cars coming on until they are there. Also not all situations are the same. While you dont have to stop every time (and nobody is saying that) it is the person who is merging who is responsible to find their way into the traffic, not the other way around. Worse yet, I would argue a majority of drivers seem to think they have the right of way and just go..no looking, no slowing, and many times no blinker. Then you get the idiots who try to piggyback someone elses merge, also no looking, or blinker usually. Lets not even get into roads where traffic isnt going highway speeds. You get 10 cars all blowing the yield and cutting off traffic that has the right of way making the cars on the road stop instead of those at the yield.

[Awesome]

And for the billionth time, sarcasm is not detected online. Would I really add slashing tires to the punishment? No, but anyone who stops on an onramp is insane and probably shouldn't have a license. But what Do I know about driving...

My mistake, i'm from the land where we say what we mean. And I disagree with you that anyone who obeys the traffic laws as they're written shouldn't have a license.

edit: of course I only disagree if you really meant that when you typed it

[Kham]

In my experience, a thorough understanding of the laws is an asset when contesting a traffic violation citation. While a "common sense" argument may be to your advantage while before a clerk magistrate, it's usually interpretation of the law that's key while before a judge.

thanks. i know. it was strictly here speaking.

[seth399]

My mistake, i'm from the land where we say what we mean. And I disagree with you that anyone who obeys the traffic laws as they're written shouldn't have a license.

I say what I mean...but I don't type what I mean on a bike forum I guess, I take that lighter. I do obey laws for the most part but I also have common sense and am aware of my surroundings when I drive, most people don't and that is why they smash up their cars and run into eachother.
In fact, I will admit I even rear ended someone once...but I was found not at fault believe it or not because I was able to pretty much prove that the lady cut into my lane and then tried to turn left/slam on her brakes in a rainy situation. So even if the "law" says you are at fault 100% you can get around that if you have a some sense.

[seth399]

My mistake, i'm from the land where we say what we mean. And I disagree with you that anyone who obeys the traffic laws as they're written shouldn't have a license.

edit: of course I only disagree if you really meant that when you typed it

haha and yes I beleive you to be sane for not agreeing with the take away license thing...that is harsh to say

[MissTwisties]

I think the point people are trying to make here is yes letting people in is the way to do it etc. However not all on ramps have the visibility to see cars coming on until they are there. Also not all situations are the same. While you dont have to stop every time (and nobody is saying that) it is the person who is merging who is responsible to find their way into the traffic, not the other way around. Worse yet, I would argue a majority of drivers seem to think they have the right of way and just go..no looking, no slowing, and many times no blinker. Then you get the idiots who try to piggyback someone elses merge, also no looking, or blinker usually. Lets not even get into roads where traffic isnt going highway speeds. You get 10 cars all blowing the yield and cutting off traffic that has the right of way making the cars on the road stop instead of those at the yield.

BINGO. Someone give him a medal.

[Kham]

I think the point people are trying to make here is yes letting people in is the way to do it etc. However not all on ramps have the visibility to see cars coming on until they are there. Also not all situations are the same. While you dont have to stop every time (and nobody is saying that) it is the person who is merging who is responsible to find their way into the traffic, not the other way around. Worse yet, I would argue a majority of drivers seem to think they have the right of way and just go..no looking, no slowing, and many times no blinker. Then you get the idiots who try to piggyback someone elses merge, also no looking, or blinker usually. Lets not even get into roads where traffic isnt going highway speeds. You get 10 cars all blowing the yield and cutting off traffic that has the right of way making the cars on the road stop instead of those at the yield.

true and i have seen them all trust me. i drove in mass long enough.

[MissTwisties]

Jay, we missed you...

[Jaynnus]

Jay, we missed you...

Speak for yourself!!

[MissTwisties]

Jay is one of NESR finest piece of a$$, how can you not Jane? Tsk tsk

[GixerJockey]

Jay is one of NESR finest piece of a$$, how can you not Jane? Tsk tsk

Wait? What? There's competition???

[MissTwisties]

Wait? What? There's competition???

Yes, didn't realize you were part of it...