PSA: Drivers Pro-Tip

[CKent]

Where I used to live, there was a road -exactly- like this. It wasn't a problem until a huge new shopping center was put in nearby. The line could reach a half mile and take 10 minutes to get through. One time I wouldn't let a woman cut in line and she actually pulled a gun on me. The light turned just in time and I gave her the finger and sped off.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

But I can still get in. The cars don't line up exactly right behind each other so there is a spot where one car is farther to the left then the other. THAT is what you call an opening. Stick the nose of your car right up into the rear bumper of the car that is just a few inches more to the right then the one behind him.

The one behind him MUST let you in. They've got no where to go because I've put my car in your path, you can't turn or move to the right or you'll h it me. If you want to effectively block you must be even with the left side of the car in front of you or an inch or two to the right. If you're a little bit to the left, then I'm in.

This is why the diagram has it correct. To properly wedge in there you've got to have a good angle to block somebody and get in. You can't be close, have to make a steep angle of doucheness to be successful.

While all well and good that you can get in, you may want to think about this. If vehicle 2 (the one you are getting in front of) does not stop to let you in and hits you, it will be your fault. Both from a police and insurance viewpoint. Vehicle 2 has the right of way, and you do not when merging.

***Disclaimer***
This is from my experience working in claims and insurance industry, but is NOT in ANY way advocating these actions. Nor is it meant as any kind of legal advice. You take full responsibility for any accidents, and should not do this.

***Disclaimer***

 

[Lean L]

While true, in certain areas, this courtesy is simply not possible. Take Philly's 76. There will be two lanes entering valley forge that are backed up for a good 2 miles. I always cut in towards the last 1/8 mile. Plus drivers around here are just like that. If you don't do it, others do it to you.

 

[calvinbiss]

I love it when you don't let someone over in this situation and they get all pissed, its like extra satisfaction for doing the right thing.

 

[thescreensavers]

too bad I do this, I am not waiting behind 100 cars when I can get much closer and easily scoot in when someone is slow.

 

[darkswordsman17]

A twist to that is when there's signs saying that lane is closed for probably a half mile before it is, and of course the majority of people already moved over, but then you get some jackass flying up at full speed (obviously ignoring that the lane is closed for construction) and then tries to get over.

 

[MotF Bane]

Yeah, it's not like you're going to hit me. So I'll just nudge right in. It's your choice to go off the road or hit me. You'll do neither. So I'm in, you're pissed and my drive time is less. Me win, you fail.

You're a prick, and you would hit me - note the key difference, you are the one doing the hitting, as you are merging improperly. The satisfaction of making you pay for my repairs, and your losing some of your "IM FUCKING IMPORTANT" time would far outweigh the dent and a few extra minutes commute.

 

[nakedfrog]

Man, we've got some gigantic fucking assholes in this thread.

 

[Jzero]

While true, in certain areas, this courtesy is simply not possible. Take Philly's 76. There will be two lanes entering valley forge that are backed up for a good 2 miles. I always cut in towards the last 1/8 mile. Plus drivers around here are just like that. If you don't do it, others do it to you.

This is something of a special case...if you're going onto 202S or Mall Blvd it doesn't make sense to wait behind all the people who are actually in line for 202N and 422 and I really can't fault anyone for doing that.

 

[Itchrelief]

In America, we prize douchebaggery and assholery. We just call it individualism and initiative.

Then there are the creative ones that signal opposite to the direction they're going to swerve. That's genius.

 

[daw123]

High Five!

We should team up. You go wedge in there and block traffic and I'll come flying up behind you in the left lane and get in front of you while they're honking and you're stopped. Then we'll trade places on the next exit.

Blocking buddies?

I drive in London, so of course I do this.

Can I join your team?

 

[ChaoZ]

 

[TheNinja]

Sometimes there are newbies who legitamately didn't merge earlier if they are unfamiliar with the area. However you always know the idiots who do it regularly, you can just tell by their movements. Fortunately I drive a older large truck with a metal bumper and they usually drive small BMWs or Toyotas with very thin and scratchable side panels. However, most of the time the douchebags do win b/c I don't want to deal with accident reports. However there have been times when I'm fed up with it and either don't let them in, or get within an inch or two of their side door.
On the other hand, it isn't worth some crazy asshole getting out of his car and shooting you in the face for not letting him merge, so usually I just chill and let it go, it's just not worth it.

 

[alfa147x]

Any my girlfriend lets them in... ugh fucking pisses me off

 

[Gibson486]

Any my girlfriend lets them in... ugh fucking pisses me off

hmmmmmm
:sneaky:

 

[alfa147x]

hmmmmmm
:sneaky:

oh damn...

 

[Krazy4Real]

I applaud your diagram op.

 

[Ballatician]

Similar situation on my drive home from work. You can totally tell who did it on accident and who on purpose.

It's not worth getting riled up over but i do try to close the gaps when possible. Too bad peoples reaction times are so slow.

I've felt bad the one or two times I did it on accident or was in a super rush.

I really hate that people do this though, so freakin dangerous and there is no place for a cop to sit at that intersection. Maybe I'll try to draw my situation later.

 

[Ballatician]

Also, that diagram was on digg weeks ago.

 

[Tim]

Also, that diagram was on digg weeks ago.

I wasn't claiming it was mine. I do, however agree 100% with it, which is why I posted it and my little rant to go with it.

 

[NoCreativity]

A good defense against this is to hang to the extreme left side of the right lane while keeping minimal distance between you and the car in front of you. Works most of the time for me since it eliminates the space for the wedge and douche driver will look for an easier target.

Another slightly more aggressive move is to sort of swerve (within your own lane) like you are making a lane change into the left lane before the person gets next to you. They usually back off as they aren't quite sure what you are going to do.

 

[daw123]

A good defense against this is to hang to the extreme left side of the right lane while keeping minimal distance between you and the car in front of you. Works most of the time for me since it eliminates the space for the wedge and douche driver will look for an easier target.

Another slightly more aggressive move is to sort of swerve (within your own lane) like you are making a lane change into the left lane before the person gets next to you. They usually back off as they aren't quite sure what you are going to do.

And there always is one.

 

[Eugene86]

I always merge into lanes like this.
I used to work at a job that had the shittiest right turn lane ever created and the lineup would be so long that I would have to wait 10 or so minutes just to make this one turn.
No way in hell am I waiting 10 minutes like an idiot just to make this turn when I can scoot right past everyone and quickly make it in under 10 seconds. Then there are tons of idiots who are day dreaming in line and take forever to inch up with huge gaps between them and the car ahead of them, so that's where I come in.

 

[dainthomas]

i wouldnt really say that. in my 76 impala, a guy in a mid 90s nissan tried that. i kept going and he slid over and my bumper hit him mid-door. fucked up his door, my bumper barely had a scratch. he was pissed, but it was his accident according to the police. he kept yelling "he wouldnt back off and let me in!" while the cop told him "you should have found a safe place to merge that wasnt a block after the white line stops". dumbass.

So you had to sit and talk to the cops for god knows how long instead of taking a nanosecond longer to get where you're going. Congratulations, I guess.

Plus like someone else mentioned, you're lucky he wasn't some schizo off his meds who'd shoot you right in the head without batting an eye. Yep, that sure sounds worth it.

 

[thepd7]

Where I used to live, there was a road -exactly- like this. It wasn't a problem until a huge new shopping center was put in nearby. The line could reach a half mile and take 10 minutes to get through. One time I wouldn't let a woman cut in line and she actually pulled a gun on me. The light turned just in time and I gave her the finger and sped off.

Sometimes there are newbies who legitamately didn't merge earlier if they are unfamiliar with the area. However you always know the idiots who do it regularly, you can just tell by their movements. Fortunately I drive a older large truck with a metal bumper and they usually drive small BMWs or Toyotas with very thin and scratchable side panels. However, most of the time the douchebags do win b/c I don't want to deal with accident reports. However there have been times when I'm fed up with it and either don't let them in, or get within an inch or two of their side door.
On the other hand, it isn't worth some crazy asshole getting out of his car and shooting you in the face for not letting him merge, so usually I just chill and let it go, it's just not worth it.

Thank God I live in Texas. I can legally carry a loaded gun in my glovebox and if someone pulled a gun on me I would immediately slam on the brakes and grab my gun. If I peek out and they are still there pointing a gun the threat will be eliminated shortly, completely legally.

While all well and good that you can get in, you may want to think about this. If vehicle 2 (the one you are getting in front of) does not stop to let you in and hits you, it will be your fault. Both from a police and insurance viewpoint. Vehicle 2 has the right of way, and you do not when merging.

***Disclaimer***
This is from my experience working in claims and insurance industry, but is NOT in ANY way advocating these actions. Nor is it meant as any kind of legal advice. You take full responsibility for any accidents, and should not do this.

***Disclaimer***

Exactly. I don't like my car and would be happy for your insurance to give me $1000 to replace/paint a quarter panel since I'll just leave it and pocket $1000.