A game of chicken - Merging in turn

[anonymous-user]

Hi all, I've got a question regarding merging in turn and some recurring incidents I've had in the last month or so. These have been on a variety of merge in turns and not just one particular location.

So my approach is lane 2, selected due to lane 1 having more traffic thus wanting to make reasonable progess. I'd normally select lane 1 if there is no significant benefit to be made with regards to progress.

My merge in turn is as usual, pick a gap and position so that it's clear I'll be taking said gap. My aim is to merge smoothly largely using my accelerator only. Everything is ok up until the merge starts to develop. At this point the 2nd car in lane one closes the gap by moving up effectively being almost, and in some cases, parallel to me as I'm half way into my merge. This then results in a game of chicken at the last minute to see who will yield. Currently I continue on my course and speed and the other car suddenly does a sharp brake and horn simultaneously as if they are suprised at what just occurred.

Question is do I yield in that scenario when I'm already part way through my maneuver or do I accelerate into this small gap and brake making a complete mess of a smooth merge. If neither do I just carry on as I have been, which doesn't seem the best course of action, and let the person next to me get on with whatever stunt they're trying to pull?

[Countdown]

If nobber was closing gap I'd slow and try to merge behind him.(What I've found is that when somebody accelerates to "close the gap" it opens a gap immediately behind them, making it easier to slot in).

It's always best to avoid getting into a willy-waving face-off situation IYSWIM

[anonymous-user]

Countdown said:

If nobber was closing gap I'd slow and try to merge behind him.(What I've found is that when somebody accelerates to "close the gap" it opens a gap immediately behind them, making it easier to slot in).

It's always best to avoid getting into a willy-waving face-off situation IYSWIM

I think that's the only way to go about it, however when you're 50% over I'm sort of stuck because if I brake the car behind tends to be right up my Jacksie and I wouldn't be surprised if they rear end me. I guess an earlier merge or more assertive positioning before they get a chance would be the safer as well. I understand people making it difficult by closing up the gap but when they go parallel with you at the last minute it's extremely strange behaviour.

[SystemParanoia]

This is exactly why i love shedding.
I've never had a problem merging surprisingly

[Speary8]

I find the following usually gives a stress free merge:
I identify early where I think I will slot in and assuming I am on the right I will make it obvious to the car in front and to the left of me that I am leaving them a space. At this time I gently move a bit left to let the car behind know that I fancy the gap that has developed. The car behind sees me as friendly as I have just let the car in front merge and usually lets me take my turn.
99 times out of a 100 this works for me

There are quite a few situations where you can manage other road users to your advantage and usually to theirs and they are totally oblivious to what you have just done

Happy merging 😄

[Bennet]

I asked a similar question not so long ago. If you read the thread - I've since found that the advice to slow and then accelerate often works well.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[kiethton]

I just maintain my position (with the overlap with the car that was in front of the merge preventer), but with my car angled gradually toward the kerb, squeezing the blocker into the kerb and eventually out.

[Countdown]

kiethton said:

I just maintain my position (with the overlap with the car that was in front of the merge preventer), but with my car angled gradually toward the kerb, squeezing the blocker into the kerb and eventually out.

What happens if he tries to squeeze you out?

Would you ever consider slowing down and merging behind him?

[alicrozier]

My solution:
Slow right down approaching the merge point to match the speed of the nearside queue. Positioning and perception seems to be key here so adopt a position 3/4 overlapping the car you aim to slot in behind, ideally show no brake lights...

More often than not the car behind will then leave you a nice gap (plan A)

If not then continue moving over very gradually, if the car behind wishes to squeeze and overtake you on the inside then let them but you can claim the moral high ground. The next car will almost certainly let you in (plan B)

If someone seems obviously annoyed and is actively blocking then stop completely and wave them in front of you. With a smiling 'after you' gesture... (plan C)

[kiethton]

Countdown said:

kiethton said:

I just maintain my position (with the overlap with the car that was in front of the merge preventer), but with my car angled gradually toward the kerb, squeezing the blocker into the kerb and eventually out.

What happens if he tries to squeeze you out?

Would you ever consider slowing down and merging behind him?

I would, and do on the very rare occasion. Discretion the better part of valour and all that...

I was mainly describing the sub 3mph merge in turns here, nothing particularly fast

[mko9]

kiethton said:

Countdown said:

kiethton said:

I just maintain my position (with the overlap with the car that was in front of the merge preventer), but with my car angled gradually toward the kerb, squeezing the blocker into the kerb and eventually out.

What happens if he tries to squeeze you out?

Would you ever consider slowing down and merging behind him?

I would, and do on the very rare occasion. Discretion the better part of valour and all that...

I was mainly describing the sub 3mph merge in turns here, nothing particularly fast

Nose position is everything. Anything behind the 3/9 line is irrelevant.

[davepoth]

Countdown said:

What happens if he tries to squeeze you out?

Would you ever consider slowing down and merging behind him?

I maintain position. My car has a large and obvious dent on the rear nearside door, which I think makes my intentions clear.

[Countdown]

davepoth said:

I maintain position. My car has a large and obvious dent on the rear nearside door, which I think makes my intentions clear.

What happens if he has TWO large and obvious dents on his front offside wing? Or if he's driving a HGV ?

[davepoth]

Countdown said:

What happens if he has TWO large and obvious dents on his front offside wing? Or if he's driving a HGV ?

The dent is more or less the whole panel, so I think I win. If it's an HGV I would likely have chosen to slot in behind it anyway - that's a lot of time to end up being stopped at the end of the lane if he decides to not play ball.

[Pica-Pica]

Authorities can help with signage here. A bold USE BOTH LANES and MERGE IN TURN helps, and drivers seem to respond co-operatives with that. It depends on so much - if is at a crawl, the gaps will be tighter, so an early signal well before the lane ends will usually evoke generosity from someone. In the end, getting into a rage situation or getting a dent, is too much hassle. I have found HGVs usually very good in this respect, if you give them early signals. Essentially, give the drivers the opportunity and space to do the right thing. Most do, those who don't will get their come-uppance sooner or later, usually via their insurance company.

[Evilex]

Pica-Pica said:

Authorities can help with signage here. A bold USE BOTH LANES and MERGE IN TURN helps, and drivers seem to respond co-operatives with that. It depends on so much - if is at a crawl, the gaps will be tighter, so an early signal well before the lane ends will usually evoke generosity from someone. In the end, getting into a rage situation or getting a dent, is too much hassle. I have found HGVs usually very good in this respect, if you give them early signals. Essentially, give the drivers the opportunity and space to do the right thing. Most do, those who don't will get their come-uppance sooner or later, usually via their insurance company.

Generally, "professional" drivers (with the possible exception of local bus drivers) are quite courteous in the situations you describe above. I've had a driver in a 10t truck team up with me to "shut the door" very heavily in the face of a chap in a Germanic rep-mobile who had pinned the throttle and was trying to charge up the inside of a narrowing single carriageway into which traffic was merging. The whole situation is created by a dreadful piece of junction design. I drive it daily, and would would love to nip up there one night and repaint it correctly...

[Solocle]

nonsequitur said:

'Use both lanes',' Merge in Turn' used to happen at roadworks in a two lanes into one, but haven't seen it for years.

The only permanent sign that I have seen advising this is on entry to Norwich.

The main reason that merging is such a bun-fight is the British attitude to queing, which must be done in an orderly fashion with no-one gaining ground unfairly.

Edited by nonsequitur on Friday 19th May 19:17

This. I was using the 2nd lane recently, in a town. I don't normally, but it was unused and I can be pretty quick away from the lights. The Range Rover I was alongside took great exception to this, and made it his goal to cut me off. While I got ahead of him off the lights, he came steaming past me while I was changing gears, and he must have been doing 50 in the 30 zone by the time he was done. There was a nice gap behind him by then though, so I wasn't too bothered.

[Cliftonite]

nonsequitur said:

The late and much missed WD39 would have been disappointed at the response.

WD39 has not moved very far away, though, has he?

[cmaguire]

Cliftonite said:

WD39 has not moved very far away, though, has he?

Are you trying to ascertain whether he is still alive or not?

[hyphen]

SystemParanoia said:

This is exactly why i love shedding.
I've never had a problem merging surprisingly