Smoky
Well-known member
In another forum the subject of highway right of way came up.? I would like to test my understanding here.
Merging traffic is when traffic from the right comes in at an angle to the main road, like coming up a ramp onto an Interstate.
Normally those already on the Interstate have the right of way.? It is the responsibility of merging traffic to adjust their speed to safely merge.? But always prepared to yield to the main road.
I am horrified (especially now that I drive a big rig) at how many auto drivers simply try to force their way onto the main road at high speed.? I am also upset, but not quite horrified, at those who creep on to the merge or even stop.
The correct technique when merging is to come up to highway speed on the ramp, and then adjust the speed to safely merge.
Another horrifying development are the signs in some states that tell Interstate drivers to slow to allow the merging traffic in.? I do not object to courteous slowing if applicable, but these signs suggest that right hand lane Interstate drivers are REQUIRED to slow and let the merging lane in.? That is idiocy.? I believe it is better not to have such signs, even though the intent is admirable.? I believe this because now I see such signs encouraging auto drivers to be even more aggressive in their merging tactics, as obviously some now believe they have the right of way on a merge.
At right angle intersections, it has always been my understanding that left hand turners do NOT have the right of way, but should wait for straight ahead traffic coming the opposite way to clear.? I don?t think it is courteous at all for the opposing straight ahead traffic to stop and wave the left hand turner through.? That just confuses the issue and leads to accidents.
I guess I am somewhat influenced by my boating education (USCG licensed 100 ton master).? Coast Guard regulations have VERY clear definitions of who has the right of way and strongly state that whoever has right of way should not slow but should continue at present speed and even sound 5 warning blasts if the non right of way party refuses to yield.? This may sound discourteous, but it is actually a very safe practice and boaters, as a rule, have much less ambiguity about their right of way then do today's auto drivers.
Of course, I find myself doing what I think is wrong, much of the time, because to insist on being right, when few others understand proper right of way on the highways, only leads to sure accidents.? I wish there was some kind of education program for right of way on the highways.
Am I off target with my thoughts?? Is it me who misunderstands right of way?
Merging traffic is when traffic from the right comes in at an angle to the main road, like coming up a ramp onto an Interstate.
Normally those already on the Interstate have the right of way.? It is the responsibility of merging traffic to adjust their speed to safely merge.? But always prepared to yield to the main road.
I am horrified (especially now that I drive a big rig) at how many auto drivers simply try to force their way onto the main road at high speed.? I am also upset, but not quite horrified, at those who creep on to the merge or even stop.
The correct technique when merging is to come up to highway speed on the ramp, and then adjust the speed to safely merge.
Another horrifying development are the signs in some states that tell Interstate drivers to slow to allow the merging traffic in.? I do not object to courteous slowing if applicable, but these signs suggest that right hand lane Interstate drivers are REQUIRED to slow and let the merging lane in.? That is idiocy.? I believe it is better not to have such signs, even though the intent is admirable.? I believe this because now I see such signs encouraging auto drivers to be even more aggressive in their merging tactics, as obviously some now believe they have the right of way on a merge.
At right angle intersections, it has always been my understanding that left hand turners do NOT have the right of way, but should wait for straight ahead traffic coming the opposite way to clear.? I don?t think it is courteous at all for the opposing straight ahead traffic to stop and wave the left hand turner through.? That just confuses the issue and leads to accidents.
I guess I am somewhat influenced by my boating education (USCG licensed 100 ton master).? Coast Guard regulations have VERY clear definitions of who has the right of way and strongly state that whoever has right of way should not slow but should continue at present speed and even sound 5 warning blasts if the non right of way party refuses to yield.? This may sound discourteous, but it is actually a very safe practice and boaters, as a rule, have much less ambiguity about their right of way then do today's auto drivers.
Of course, I find myself doing what I think is wrong, much of the time, because to insist on being right, when few others understand proper right of way on the highways, only leads to sure accidents.? I wish there was some kind of education program for right of way on the highways.
Am I off target with my thoughts?? Is it me who misunderstands right of way?