Drivers who don't give way when merging onto a M-way

copacetic · 11-11-2009 12:50AM

Alun wrote: »

Erm, no it's not. It says you MAY use it for that purpose, i.e. if necessary due to volumes of traffic, multiple cars trying to merge, etc.. It also says that traffic merging MUST give way to traffic on the mainline .. are you conveniently ignoring that one?

it doesn't say any of that. It says may, as you don't have to, i.e if it's not safe, don't. Otherwise unless you are an ignorant fecker, why wouldn't you? Just because you don't 'have to'? What kind of childish attitude is that?

BArra · 11-11-2009 12:53AM

ignorance is bliss obviously

deadlast · 11-11-2009 12:53AM

Alun wrote: »

Erm, no it's not. It says you MAY use it for that purpose, i.e. if necessary due to volumes of traffic, multiple cars trying to merge, etc.. It also says that traffic merging MUST give way to traffic on the mainline .. are you conveniently ignoring that one?

No i'm not. Where does it say about volume/multiple cars trying to merge? (that cop... dude got in ahead of me)

Alun wrote: »

It also says that traffic merging MUST give way to traffic on the mainline ..

Absolutely.

LookBehindYou · 11-11-2009 12:58AM

Correct way would be for the vehicle to anticipate the vehicle trying to merge on to the motorway and move safely to the overtaking lane to give space for the vehicle merging.
Its common courtesy and the law.

Alun · 11-11-2009 12:58AM

copacetic wrote: »

it doesn't say any of that. It says may, as you don't have to, i.e if it's not safe, don't. Otherwise unless you are an ignorant fecker, why wouldn't you? Just because you don't 'have to'? What kind of childish attitude is that?

I could equally well turn that argument around the other way and say 'why, unless you are an ignorant fecker, wouldn't you just adjust your speed and merge properly'. That is the rule after all, not the opposite. Why is someone refusing to move over when it isn't necessary an 'ignorant fecker', but someone refusing to do things by the rules isn't?

Alun · 11-11-2009 01:01AM

deadlast wrote: »

No i'm not. Where does it say about volume/multiple cars trying to merge?

It doesn't explicitly, just that that's the only situation when it's really necessary in practice assuming everyone else plays by the rules. Why else would it say MAY .. there have to be situations where doing it would make sense and others when it wouldn't, otherwise it would say MUST.

Seth Brundle · 11-11-2009 01:02AM

copacetic wrote: »

So you wouldn't move over, 'because we have rules'? That's a pretty stupid reason. This whole, I'm in the right so I'll just stare ahead and hope for the best attitude is really bad driving.

What about the 'rule' quoted earlier that says you can use the outside lane to make room for people merging? Just ignore that one?

Where did I say anything about what I would do?

copacetic · 11-11-2009 01:03AM

Alun wrote: »

I could equally well turn that argument around the other way and say 'why, unless you are an ignorant fecker, wouldn't you just adjust your speed and merge properly'. That is the rule after all, not the opposite. Why is someone refusing to move over when it isn't necessary an 'ignorant fecker', but someone refusing to do things by the rules isn't?

Again, as I've already said a number of times on this thread, the guy coming on the motorway is an idiot. Pretty much everyone has said he is in the wrong also. What people can't believe is that there are people ignorant to say ignore him, I'm entitled to just drive straight on which is what the OP did.

i.e you have two really bad drivers here, which is often what leads to accidents.

mickdw · 11-11-2009 01:04AM

Nail it down the slip road and come merge time, have the engine singing in 3rd gear and take no **** from anyone!

LookBehindYou · 11-11-2009 01:08AM

When i am on my Bike, i nail it down the ramp and use all the merging lane, and keep to the left, no prob any time.

mickoneill30 · 11-11-2009 01:11AM

BrianD3 wrote: »

So who's the bigger bollox, me or him?

Id say it's 50/50.

deadlast · 11-11-2009 01:12AM

Alun wrote: »

It doesn't explicitly, just that that's the only situation when it's really necessary in practice assuming everyone else plays by the rules. Why else would it say MAY .. there have to be situations where doing it would make sense and others when it wouldn't, otherwise it would say MUST.

I don't do that.

*re-quote Alun

Alun · 11-11-2009 01:13AM

copacetic wrote: »

Again, as I've already said a number of times on this thread, the guy coming on the motorway is an idiot. Pretty much everyone has said he is in the wrong also. What people can't believe is that there are people ignorant to say ignore him, I'm entitled to just drive straight on which is what the OP did.

i.e you have two really bad drivers here, which is often what leads to accidents.

Let me be clear, in a situation like that I'd have moved over too, but I don't do it as a matter of course every time I see a car coming down the on ramp, and if I am forced into a situation when I have to it irks me that I had to just to accommodate some jerk who doesn't know how to perform a simple merging manoeuvre.

copacetic · 11-11-2009 01:14AM

Alun wrote: »

It doesn't explicitly, just that that's the only situation when it's really necessary in practice assuming everyone else plays by the rules. Why else would it say MAY .. there have to be situations where doing it would make sense and others when it wouldn't, otherwise it would say MUST.

it says may because if it said must you would have to change lanes even if there was a car in your way. You'll generally never find the ROTR worded in such a way as to force you to have an accident.

deadlast · 11-11-2009 01:16AM

Alun wrote: »

Let me be clear, in a situation like that I'd have moved over too, but I don't do it as a matter of course every time I see a car coming down the on ramp, and if I am forced into a situation when I have to it irks me that I had to just to accommodate some jerk who doesn't know how to perform a simple merging manoeuvre.

Why is it such a chore...

Alun · 11-11-2009 01:22AM

deadlast wrote: »

I don't do that.

Nor do I, I was just saying that assuming, i.e. IF, everyone played by the rules, then that would be a situation in which it MAY be necessary.

Alanstrainor · 11-11-2009 01:22AM

deadlast wrote: »

Why is it such a chore...

Alun said in the OP's situation he would have moved over too, the point is that people need to learn to merge correctly. In most situations merging should be possible without anyone in the driving lane having to move out into the overtaking lane.

bazz26 · 11-11-2009 01:25AM

I think this thread is one good example of why motorway/dual carriageway driving should be part of the driving test in this country.

unkel · 11-11-2009 01:33AM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

the point is that people need to learn to merge correctly. In most situations merging should be possible without anyone in the driving lane having to move out into the overtaking lane.

Spot on. The core of the problem is that people in this country learning to drive aren't trained in how to use motorways. And from some of the posts in this thread, the incompetence and ignorance of the average Irish driver is (once again) shocking. It is encouraging to see plenty of good advice though - and not all from foreign drivers either

eyesofvenus · 11-11-2009 01:50AM

Just my 2 cents...

If the merging car had the ability to power past the OP why didnt he do it sooner?

Also the assumption is that the OP was doing 120km/h so the merging car should have considered this and kept his speed to around 110 or so.

imeddyhobbs · 11-11-2009 02:22AM

I use motorways everyday and I never have this problem,maybe if the op drives faster/slower onto the motorway he/she might find it easier!Having a good sense of judgement also helps.Sometimes some people have problems with basic things and think that someone else is at fault

eyesofvenus · 11-11-2009 02:26AM

imeddyhobbs wrote: »

I use motorways everyday and I never have this problem,maybe if the op drives faster onto the motorway he/she might find it easyier!

You must have misread somewhere.
The OP was already on the motorway

imeddyhobbs · 11-11-2009 02:50AM

I didnt read the thread,just the title which is a bit misleading seeing as the op was the driver and not a 3rd party as the thread title seems to employ.

I was on me bike in the phoenix park on day when some old bitch gave out to me for cycling on the walking path,i politely stopped and asked her was the park not big enough for everyone....

Same goes for the motorway,here we have 2 boys touching penises to see who has the biggest.Guess you had the smaller op?

dublin 16 lad · 11-11-2009 03:08AM

If traffic was heavy on both lanes of the motorway I'd accomadate a merger who is running out of slip lane. It's not the law but if it's safe to do so I think it's only common courtesy to let them in

PS From experience in driving in other European countries I think Irish drivers are definitley among the most courteous

dublin 16 lad · 11-11-2009 03:10AM

imeddyhobbs wrote: »

I didnt read the thread,just the title which is a bit misleading seeing as the op was the driver and not a 3rd party as the thread title seems to employ.

I was on me bike in the phoenix park on day when some old bitch gave out to me for cycling on the walking path,i politely stopped and asked her was the park not big enough for everyone....

Same goes for the motorway,here we have 2 boys touching penises to see who has the biggest.Guess you had the smaller op?

Why cycle on a footpath? That's ridiculous imo

Mr Benevolent · 11-11-2009 07:09AM

dublin 16 lad wrote: »

Why cycle on a footpath? That's ridiculous imo

It's also illegal.

Seth Brundle · 11-11-2009 08:59AM

imeddyhobbs wrote: »

I didnt read the thread,just the title which is a bit misleading seeing as the op was the driver and not a 3rd party as the thread title seems to employ.

I was on me bike in the phoenix park on day when some old bitch gave out to me for cycling on the walking path,i politely stopped and asked her was the park not big enough for everyone....

If you didn't read the discussion then please stay out of it!

imeddyhobbs wrote: »

Same goes for the motorway,here we have 2 boys touching penises to see who has the biggest.Guess you had the smaller op?

There is no need for that at all.

MagicMarker · 11-11-2009 09:03AM

2qk4u wrote: »

Yeah, if I come down the slip lane and the only other car couldnt be bothered moving over Id pull right out as if it wasnt there.

lol.

This is so stupid, I can't even be arsed to post a facepalm pic.

Zulu · 11-11-2009 09:51AM

Sorry Alanstrainor, I don't mean to single out your post as theres been a good few to this effect:

Alanstrainor wrote: »

...the point is that people need to learn to merge correctly.

I know it's great when we are right and all, but it's not up to us to teach other people how to drive - especially if your method of teaching them is by forcing them, you, and people around you into dangerous situations.

Playing chicken with someone who’s attempting to merge onto a motorway is childish and ignorant. Sure (s)he was technically in the wrong; sure (s)he was ignorant, but you had the opportunity to pull out of their way, and you choose not to take it.

Let face it, this person could have been fiddling with their cruise control, texting, not paying full attention. I would have thought we could all agree that it’s better to give people the benefit of doubt when it comes to people vs tonnes of metal travelling at 100-120km/h or 30m/s?

peasant · 11-11-2009 10:02AM

Zulu wrote: »

Sorry Alanstrainor, I don't mean to single out your post as theres been a good few to this effect:

I know it's great when we are right and all, but it's not up to us to teach other people how to drive - especially if your method of teaching them is by forcing them, you, and people around you into dangerous situations.

Playing chicken with someone who’s attempting to merge onto a motorway is childish and ignorant. Sure (s)he was technically in the wrong; sure (s)he was ignorant, but you had the opportunity to pull out of their way, and you choose not to take it.

Let face it, this person could have been fiddling with their cruise control, texting, not paying full attention. I would have thought we could all agree that it’s better to give people the benefit of doubt when it comes to people vs tonnes of metal travelling at 100-120km/h or 30m/s?

There is a difference though between not pulling over every single time you see a car on the merging lane and and "playing chicken".

I think nobody here from the "I don't pull into the overtaking lane" brigade is doing so in order to have contest of wills with the merger. They are doing so because it is proper motorway driving.
I also think that most of these drivers would be experienced enough to realise a situation is about to go bad and pull over / slow down / speed up as appropriate to avoid a dangerous situation developing...if and when it develops.

Drivers who don't give way when merging onto a M-way

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