Zipper merging

[Squirrel]

This lovely construction season, there is a project on one of the main bridges in my area. It's on the interstate and about two miles from the start of the actual construction, there is a sign encouraging zipper merging. It urges that we use both lanes of traffic until the last minute, when we all courteously "zipper merge" together going at the construction zone pace of about 45 mph.
This concept is foreign around here, but from what I've read, used heavily elsewhere.
The issue we're having is lane straddlers totally blocking the right lane. Generally semis and big SUVs. At first I was mentally high-fiving them for blocking these people zipping right along past me, but now I'm not so sure.
These lane straddlers have caused several cases of road rage, with people getting out of their vehicles in the construction zone to go at it.
As they say, Illinois/Iowa/any other state has two seasons: Winter and construction.
What about you? Do you merge when you see a sign saying "Right lane closed, merge"? Or do you ride out that right lane as far as you can?

[billnchristy]

I merge often too early and get boned and then feel like doing the straddle thing.

The problem with zipper merging is the "I am king of the world" attitude too many drivers have so you end up with a game of side by side chicken with both parties "too important" to yield.

On top of that, you in the little car are supposed to be meek and allow the big Alpha idiots in their F-250s in because they are bigger than you and are obviously better.

I wish people weren't such toolboxes but it would pretty much take the apocalypse to rid the earth of them.

[Squirrel]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

On top of that, you in the little car are supposed to be meek and allow the big Alpha idiots in their F-250s in because they are bigger than you and are obviously better.

I wish people weren't such toolboxes but it would pretty much take the apocalypse to rid the earth of them.

Exactly. What I didn't mention is the on-ramp to the bridge in the downtown area. This is what I take every day leaving work. Those people in their big trucks drive over the medians to get to the turn lane. Obviously, traffic is ridiculously backed up at peak hours. It takes me 40 minutes to get on the bridge at times. I cannot believe how people are acting. I know this is frustrating and it's hot outside, but everyone is dealing with it.

[billnchristy]

Just keep your head on straight.

The worst part for me is Sync Lady always chooses Ministry or Rage against the Machine or Nine Inch Nails when I am stuck in traffic and Grateful Dead or Lisa Loeb or something when I have a chance to haul ass.

[Captainmorbid]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

Just keep your head on straight.

The worst part for me is Sync Lady always chooses Ministry or Rage against the Machine or Nine Inch Nails when I am stuck in traffic and Grateful Dead or Lisa Loeb or something when I have a chance to haul ass.

Nothing is more relaxing for driving than NWO...

[Captainmorbid]

As far as dealing with semis on the road, give them space for the love of... Imagine trying to deal with the same traffic as in the fiesta, but being 70 feet long, with 18 gears, and brakes that suggest that stopping will eventually happen! And spaces around them and behind being filled with daylight spotter types, you don't want to give those guys the rage...

[billnchristy]

Originally Posted by Captainmorbid

Nothing is more relaxing for driving than NWO...

TV 2 in a traffic jam makes you want to throw bricks through windows...much like Tori Amos (any song but She's your Cocaine) makes you want to spank a kitten when you have a wide open road ahead.

[Norm201]

Originally Posted by Captainmorbid

As far as dealing with semis on the road, give them space for the love of... Imagine trying to deal with the same traffic as in the fiesta, but being 70 feet long, with 18 gears, and brakes that suggest that stopping will eventually happen! And spaces around them and behind being filled with daylight spotter types, you don't want to give those guys the rage...

Amen.

People don't seem to realize that truckers (and I don't mean those stupid 4 x 4's with big ass stupid looking tires) are trained professionals and deserve the respect that any professional does. It takes a lot of skill and brains to handle the big rig and patience to handle the stupid car drivers that can't give an inch to the truckers.

As to the zipper merge and the straddlers...I don't like the zipper merge, and the right lane streakers should be shot! If everybody merges into one lane early on then there would be no traffic stop at the point of one lane. My 2 cents + one cent for inflation.

[billnchristy]

Originally Posted by Captainmorbid

As far as dealing with semis on the road, give them space for the love of... Imagine trying to deal with the same traffic as in the fiesta, but being 70 feet long, with 18 gears, and brakes that suggest that stopping will eventually happen! And spaces around them and behind being filled with daylight spotter types, you don't want to give those guys the rage...

After riding with one of our drivers one day I have a newfound respect for those guys. The limited side and rear sight lines make even the blindspottiest of vehicles (I am looking at you gen II RX-7) seem like a convertible. Not only that the rev range (1000-2500 rpm usually) is incredibly tight, especially with a load and you have about a million gears to pull in a stupid short amount of time and then you have to deal with people with no patience trying to be JAs as they pass you.

What topped it off for me was when we got to the delivery site there was no where to turn around on the one lane road so he drove up a one lane embankment on the side of a retention pond, and then backed up 300' between two lightpoles that looked to be about the length of the tractor and trailer...it was amazing.

So props to those dudes & chicks, especially the over-night haulers who spend the week away from their families to deliver the crap you and I "must" have.

[Squirrel]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

So props to those dudes & chicks, especially the over-night haulers who spend the week away from their families to deliver the crap you and I "must" have.

My brother-in-law did it for years, I have total respect for them. I watch them roll up at our docks every day to unload paper rolls, cramming in close to the building, and the hatch we have leading to the basement, lining up just right. I couldn't even do it in my car.