Reader Q and A

Reader L.H. noted, “My morning walk takes me down Garland headed east from Ash, and I am just amazed at all the cars that just blow through the 20 mph sign that tells them how fast they are going. All going over 28 or faster.”

Statistics show that those free-standing radar units indeed slow traffic in the problem locations they are placed.  Maybe the area L.H. monitors is an anomaly or the units have not been there long enough to provide the desired effect.  I believe computer data stored reflects the number of flagrant violators, so a physical patrol might appear there if drivers keep it up.

And A.L. pointed out, “Too many drivers seem to stay in the right lane because they feel that it is the safe lane.  As a result that lane is so congested that it makes it difficult for drivers to merge onto the freeways. Some areas have signs directing through traffic to stay in left lanes. If drivers cooperate in this manner, everybody benefits.”

The resistance to move left may arise from the emphasis by enforcement agencies of the “stay right except to pass” rule.  That’s a real law, but as A.L. suggests, congested areas with many on/off ramps are posted to use the left lanes for through-traffic.  In these areas, or in any merging situation, even without signs, common sense should indicate that moving to the left lane is prudent for through-traffic, increasing overall efficiency.

Reader D.M. queried, “When you are driving on a multiple lane road and want to change lanes, you turn on your signal (hopefully anyway). I have seen two instances in the last week where someone pulling out of a driveway or a side street, thinks your signal means your intention is to turn into where they are pulling out - so, out they come right in front of you.  Is it up to the driver changing lanes to be sure their signal won’t confuse someone, or should the person pulling out wait to see whether the one changing lanes is really not going to pull in to where they are exiting?”

The driver changing lanes must legally signal, regardless of how it may be perceived by someone on a side street.  It’s not advisable for a person pulling out from a side street to treat an approaching vehicle’s signal as a right-of-way to proceed.  At the very least, the vehicle pulling out should confirm there will be a turn by observing a slowdown and/or initiation of a lateral movement by the approaching vehicle.

D.M. added, “In last week’s “Getting There” column in the SR, Nicholas Deshais said that when traffic has to merge into one lane, like for construction, the most efficient practice is for the lane which must move over to wait until the last minute to merge, and the lane being merged into should yield for them. I can’t believe that is true, but wanted to ask you if it is my pride that makes me think that, or are Mr. Deshais instructions really wrong?”

Somewhat unbelievably, the last minute “zipper” merge is the most efficient scenario at those sites (maximum use of both available lanes until one ends).  But in the real world, sailing past the vehicles that have merged early causes driver ire leading to road rage incidents that I have personally witnessed.

Readers may contact Bill Love via e-mail at precisiondriving@spokesman.com.