The big controversy in the vaunted Syracuse Newspaper recently (Front Page coverage even) has to do with driver etiquette during highway construction. Takes our mind off the economy and inflation and our beloved president and even the economic stimulant.
When you have a construction sign on a 4-lane highway that says something like “Single Lane 1 Mile” do you form a single lane immediately, or stay in 2 lanes for the next mile, and then merge? And if you do merge right now, do you try to block those who wish to merge down the road? I mean really! I do not commute anymore, but sometimes am forced to be out on Route 690 during the Crazy Hour, so I know something about this issue firsthand. And have you ever noticed that after you get thru the merging area and are actually restricted to one lane, traffic flows along smooth as can be? No delays there.
Perhaps I can clear up some confusion: If that sign read “Stop 1 mile ahead” would one slam on the brakes immediately? If that sign read “Exit 1 mile ahead, would one drive off the road right here? See what I mean? Of course, if the sign did say “exit 1 mile ahead, it might be prudent to start merging right, instead of waiting until one reaches the exit and crossing 4 lanes at 75 mph, but that is another story. LET’S JUST USE OUR HEADS, PEOPLE!
Here’s a followup note. I just took a ride up Interstate Route 81 to the Watertown area-lots of summer traffic. There were a couple of places where construction restricted traffic to one lane. Interesting that everyone seemed to be able to merge at 55 (or more) mph and move right along with no delays. No one stopped when they saw a sign telling them to merge. Of course, traffic was much lighter than the daily Syracuse commute. But think about it.
By: winteridge on July 23, 2008
at 12:38 pm