On-ramp phenominon

JCR GD

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Location
Central Cal
Not sure if it is just a California thing or not but...

for some reason the "folks" around here are in the habit of not looking while MERGING on to the freeway. They just keep coming and expect the freeway people to hit the brakes for them. And some on the freeway ALWAYS hit the brakes when they see some one ahead merging. Maybe they are the same people, Dunno.

Since when does the freeway need to slow down to allow merging. I thought the on-rampers were suppose to adjust speed (faster or slower) to merge with the flow of traffic. It's no wonder the traffic is always a mess in the cities if everyone is creating braking ripples in traffic.

I find it very frustrating (and dangerous) pulling a long, heavy load and having idiots constantly hitting the brakes in front of me at the on-ramps and then the other idiots merging into the side of my trailer cuz they are not paying attention.

I think I'm going to get a loud horn to mount right behind my duels pointing sideways to blast them before they get too close. Yes, I have had several close calls. And I'm not even sure what I should do when I can't move over, can't really speed up and darn sure can't hit the brakes when they are already next to the trailer. Eessshhhhhh rant over :mad::confused:

We had a local girl merge right into the back half of the tractor part of an 18 wheeler and got run over by the tractor rear wheels and the trailer wheels before the driver could get stopped. It didn't end well for her... but I imagine it was a quick end.

Any one else enjoy this same phenomenon in your travels?
 
You do live in California. I fully recognized your descriptions. Where are you? Went to Seattle and back. Going around Portland was herendous! Washington on 5 was just horrible! Going thru N Sacramento on 80 is beyond any experience I can describe.
Rod

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Your observations are correct but I don't find that habit just in California. Whenever we're driving through a metropolitan area I always just move over a lane and let the traffic enter and exit the freeway without me being involved. I've found most freeways through metropolitan areas are 3 lanes minimum, so it works fine. Besides, the right lane is usually always in the worst condition from all the heavy trucks.
 
I thought driver's couldn't be any worse than they are here in CA (even worse in the Central Valley, I'll get to that in a minute). But the driver's in CO were horrible! I can't even put in to words what we experienced there, merging - then hitting brakes, slow in the fast lane (even though there min fast lane speeds).

I mentioned the Central Valley, because when I was running cement in pneumatic tanks up and down the 99, I was warned by my business partner, "Watch out for people getting on the freeway around Fresno." I said, "Whatever." Holy shnikes! These folks when come down on the on ramp and see a truck, panic, and hit the brakes! Insanity!
 
I do the same thing. Problem with California is the 55 MPH speed limit. So dangerous! Causes lots of rear end collisions.
And my truck goes into overdrive at about 63 and mileage goes up 2.5 MPG. No other states in the west do this.

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Here in Utah people are too afraid to accelerate on the ramp, and the "meters" that they have to stop for don't help. They go from a standing start to whatever speed they can make going uphill - never the flow of traffic speed - and expect you will just slow down to let them in. They won't step on the gas with serious intent.

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Speaking of hills and California stupidity, don't get me started how the have scales at the bottom of large ascent/descent on the Cajon Pass. Yeah, let every loaded truck loose its momentum to go through the scales and start all over again. Brilliance!
 
I think it's just one more way they can be less-than-friendly to big diesels. If they had their way, there wouldn't be any on their roads, but they would be in a world of hurt without them.

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Speaking of hills and California stupidity, don't get me started how the have scales at the bottom of large ascent/descent on the Cajon Pass. Yeah, let every loaded truck loose its momentum to go through the scales and start all over again. Brilliance!

Please tell us how you really feel! :cool:
 
I traveled a lot for business. Traffic is bad and dangerous that I bought an

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To finish
I bought an airplane and flew over it
Worked great and saved lots of time


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Oh!, the ones I love are the yahoos who speed up to pass you, then cross over into your lane and slam on the brakes to get off at an exit they almost missed trying to pass you. Makes me say all kinds of ugly expletives.
 
To finish
I bought an airplane and flew over it
Worked great and saved lots of time


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Cool, is it one of those big cargo planes so you can take your trailer with you?:)
 
Didn't have it in those days

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I would take #2 without the fade out


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Yah that's what I'm talkin' about! It would probably put them in the ditch though...
 

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