Re: On Topic? Cars, anyway: 55 MPH speed limit...

"Retired VIP" <jackj.extradots.180@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:tb8v84hj6gbds9or2tm5j26dg368qemcqi@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:29:12 -0400, "Willy" <wesk@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>>"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>news:g6kvlc$249$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>
>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>> news:pan.2008.07.27.14.00.46.254401@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>> On Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:47:32 -0700, Jeff Strickland wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> If you're in the merge lane doing 80, and somebody wants to merge, 
>>>>> then
>>>>> it
>>>>> is your obligation to let them in if they are in front of you and
>>>>> running
>>>>> out of room.
>>>>
>>>> BULL!!!! There is an implied YIELD at the end of the ramp, some
states 
>>>> DO
>>>> put yield signs there. The person on the ramp needs to slow or stop!
>>>> Even if the person on the highway is being a dickhead and won't pull 
>>>> over
>>>> with no other traffic on the road (yes, people are ignorant.)
>>>>
>>>> Highway traffic NEVER EVER YIELDS to ramp traffic!!!
>>>>
>>>> If people where you are drive like that, please remind me to bypass 
>>>> your
>>>> state!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> When the option is to move over a lane, or lift off the gas to let
>>> somebody in that has arrived at the end of the ramp, or force another
>>> driver to stop, I'll argue that pulling over is always the better 
>>> choice.
>>>
>>> You should NEVER force a car to stop on the onramp.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Sorry Jeff, but you're completely wrong on this one.  Merging traffic
must
>>ALWAYS YIELD to oncoming traffic in EVERY situation.  A car approaching
a
>>merging car on an on ramp should NEVER EVER SLOW DOWN to allow that car
to
>>enter.  This impedes and potentially creates a hazardous situation for
the
>>general flow of traffic.
>>
>>As the "merging vehicle" it is YOUR job to be completely UP TO SPEED
when
>>you MERGE in an available space.  If no space is available, you MUST 
>>YIELD,
>>including coming to a complete stop.
>>
>>Agreed it is common courtesy for a driver to move to the left lane if 
>>that's
>>available to open up the merge lane, but it is NOT required nor is it
law 
>>in
>>any state.
>>
>>Willy
>
> Several years ago when I lived in Indiana, the Interstates there had
> signs at every entrance, "Yield to merging traffic".  I do believe it
> was state law that it was the responsibility of traffic on the
> Interstate to either move over or slow down to allow merging traffic
> onto the road.  I have seen some really bad wrecks because some
> asshole refused to allow a driver to merge from an on-ramp.
>
> Jack



Here's a post from Virginia code:

§ 46.2-863. Failure to yield right-of-way.
A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who fails to bring his
vehicle 
to a stop immediately before entering a highway from a side road when
there 
is traffic approaching on such highway within 500 feet of such point of 
entrance, unless (I) a "Yield Right-of-Way" sign is posted or (ii) where 
such sign is posted, fails, upon entering such highway, to yield the 
right-of-way to the driver of a vehicle approaching on such highway from 
either direction.

Ohio code says YOU MUST YIELD TO ALL TRAFFIC ALREADY ON THE FREEWAY WHEN 
ATTEMPTING TO MERGE.  IF YOU MUST SLOW DOWN, DO SO ABOUT 1/2 THE LENGTH OF

THE ON RAMP, THUS ALLOWING TIME TO ACCELERATE BEFORE ENTERING THE LANE OF 
TRAFFIC.

West Virginia says:  Be prepared to ADJUST YOUR SPEED, and if no room
exists 
to merge, continue on the shoulder as a last resort.  Do not stop on the 
ramp (rather, move to the shoulder if no merge point is available until
you 
can safely enter).

Indiana say:  it is YOUR responsibility to yield to the oncoming traffic 
when merging on an interstate.  However, it does also say that drivers in 
the flow of traffic, as an act of safety, should move to the left lane
when 
possible.