Why are states not on the same page with highway merging laws?

[miri]

Shouldnt this law be consistent at least in the continental US?

 

[badkarma1399]

The bigger question is, Does anyone pay attention to such laws?

 

[EGGO]

Same thing with circle merging. There are four circles within a 40 mile radius from me. Two have incoming traffic yielding for the circle, and the other two have the circle yielding to oncoming traffic.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: miri
Shouldnt this law be consistent at least in the continental US?

If the federal government makes all of the laws for all of the states, then in what sense are they states?

 

[ICRS]

Originally posted by: miri
Shouldnt this law be consistent at least in the continental US?

Each state sets its own laws. What does your state say about highway merging?

 

[HardcoreRobot]

a yield is dfferent from a merge, it is indicated differently and usually depends on the actual conditions (length of onramp for example)

 

[IronWing]

Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

 

[Deeko]

Wait...there's states where the cars merging in have the right of way? How does that make sense?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Ya, I want to know that too.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Wait...there's states where the cars merging in have the right of way? How does that make sense?

It makes sense because the cars on the highway have a better FOV.

Also in Texas you must yield to cars exiting the controlled-access highway. This makes sense as you have a better FOV then the car leaving the highway.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: EGGO
Same thing with circle merging. There are four circles within a 40 mile radius from me. Two have incoming traffic yielding for the circle, and the other two have the circle yielding to oncoming traffic.

Roundabout, not circle.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

See Page 9-2. Texas requires merging traffic to yield.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

See Page 9-2. Texas requires merging traffic to yield.

4.3 says you must yield to merging traffic on controlled-access highways.

I remember when I used to drive in Texas, there were yield to merging traffic signs on the highways.

Whats the difference between a freeway and a highway?

 

[bunker]

Same law in Michigan. Merging traffic has the right of way, although nobody else in this state seems to realize it.

 

[George P Burdell]

I'm unaware of local rules about merging. I use the "let every other car in" rule during peak hours and common sense during off-peak hours.

Aside: because I'm bored, here is something fresh off my spam folder.

Rules for Driving in Atlanta

Remember that the goal of every Atlanta driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.

Real Atlanta women drivers can put on pantyhose and apply eye makeup at seventy-five miles per hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Real Atlanta men drivers can remove pantyhose and a bra at seventy-five miles per hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Atlanta driver never uses them.

A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.

Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered "going with the flow."

The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.

Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork. The driver doesn't have anything to lose.

Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.

Construction signs tell you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the traffic begins to back up.

The new electronic traffic warning system signs are not there to provide useful information. They are only there to make Atlanta look high-tech and to distract you from seeing the Cobb County police car parked in the median.

Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It's a good way to scare people entering the highway.

Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions and are apparently not enforceable in the metro area during rush hour.

Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that an Atlanta driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.

Please remember that there is no such thing as a shortcut during rush-hour traffic in Atlanta.

Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire.

Throwing litter on the roads adds variety to the landscape, keeps the existing litter from getting lonely, and gives Adopt-a-highway crews something to clean up.

Everybody thinks their vehicle is better than yours, especially pick-up truck drivers with stickers of Calvin peeing on a Ford, Dodge or Chevy logo.

Learn to swerve abruptly. Atlanta is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to GDOT, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.

It is traditional in Atlanta to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.

Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right of way.

Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding.

Ice, snow, fog, and rain are no reason to change any of the previously listed rules.

 

[ICRS]

In California you can turn left into the outer most lane. You don't have to turn into the inner most lane.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: bunker
Same law in Michigan. Merging traffic has the right of way, although nobody else in this state seems to realize it.

Sorry. Page 91:

Signal and check for freeway traffic by using the vehicle?s
rearview and side-view mirrors and quick glances over your
shoulder. Choose a safe space to enter and then merge into
traffic. Traffic on the freeway has the right-of-way. Do not count
on other drivers to let you in.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wedmk_16312_7.pdf

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Are you sure about that?
According to your link...(pg. 54)

ENTERING THE FREEWAY
1. You must yield right of way to vehicles already on the freeway.

2. Enter the speed change lane, stay to the right, signal left, and when the way is clear increase your speed so you can merge with the flow of traffic.

 

[miri]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Are you sure about that?
According to your link...(pg. 54)

ENTERING THE FREEWAY
1. You must yield right of way to vehicles already on the freeway.

2. Enter the speed change lane, stay to the right, signal left, and when the way is clear increase your speed so you can merge with the flow of traffic.

4.3 says you must yield to merging traffic on controlled-access highways.

I remember when I used to drive in Texas, there were yield to merging traffic signs on the highways.

Whats the difference between a freeway and a highway?

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: miri

Originally posted by: ironwing
Which states have laws stating that merging traffic doesn't have to yield the right of way?

Texas. What other states are like this?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Are you sure about that?
According to your link...(pg. 54)

ENTERING THE FREEWAY
1. You must yield right of way to vehicles already on the freeway.

2. Enter the speed change lane, stay to the right, signal left, and when the way is clear increase your speed so you can merge with the flow of traffic.

4.3 says you must yield to merging traffic on controlled-access highways.

I remember when I used to drive in Texas, there were yield to merging traffic signs on the highways.

Whats the difference between a freeway and a highway?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited-access_highway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeway

 

[evident]

what almost got me killed was when i went to mass and found out that people drove on the shoulder all the time!!! that's fucked up. how are people supposed to know these things if they are coming from out of state?

 

[frostedflakes]

I think some areas have laws requiring you to move out of the way of merging cars if the adjacent lane is available, but in general I think right-of-way ultimately goes to the car already on the highway.

That being said, I usually just get into the inner lane, because a lot of people are assholes and would run over you if you don't. Defensive driving FTW.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: evident
what almost got me killed was when i went to mass and found out that people drove on the shoulder all the time!!! that's fucked up. how are people supposed to know these things if they are coming from out of state?

There are signs, but, yes it sucks and it's awful and the state should have never, ever, allowed it.



As for yielding to cars entering rotaries -- what?! That makes no sense whatsoever.