How To Drive, Part II.

Keep that at least loosely in mind. Whether you are the merger or one being merged with everyone wins in the long run if the smooth general flow, not just your individual progress, is considered.  

Another thing to keep in mind as you enter the ramp leading to the faster stream of traffic is this: The merger actually happens down there where your lane joins the other roadway, but it begins now, as you enter the ramp. Now! Pay attention.

First, look ahead at the highway to get an idea as to the speed and density of the traffic already proceeding there. Chances are that what follows will be very much like what you see. You now have an idea of the speed you will need to match the stream you are merging with.

And keep that word in mind – speed. The merging car moving too slowly creates most merger fiascoes, not excessive speed.

As you look ahead note the point at which the merger must take place (call it Point M). And check if there are other cars on the ramp also in the process of merging. This is important because you are going to be taking quick looks away from them over your shoulder at the on-coming stream. It is a fact of life that someone is always stopping at yield signs. Don’t let them stop unnoticed.
As you make your quick reconnoitering glances back to pick your spot (and it must be back because the cars directly opposite you on the highway will be long gone by the time you reach Point M) do not look at the cars and trucks and motorcycles, look at the spaces between them.

You are looking for a space your size with adequate margin that is moving along in the traffic flow - now shrinking some, now stretching. It is that space with which you will strive to synchronize arrivals at Point M. It is moving quickly so once you spot it quickly match its speed. Remember, speed is easier to lose than to gain quickly.

If the idea of merging makes you nervous think mesh, dovetail, interlace. Or think eggbeater. Maybe you have in a kitchen drawer on old hand-cranked beater or maybe one that attaches to an electric mixer. Look at it. Play with it. Note with proper amazement that no matter how fast you turn it the blades do not collide. They mesh, they merge. That’s because they each arrive at Point M just as a space arrives. And just look how fast they are doing it!

If a kitchen gadget doesn’t inspire you, think of relay runners. They do not take the baton standing still. They are moving as quickly as they can in the acceleration space allotted them to match their speed with the on-coming runner. That’s what you must do. The space is the baton.

Here are some mistakes inept mergers make:

• They do not look back over their shoulders until they are at the end of the ramp.
• They look back at the beginning of the ramp and not again. (You need a number of quick glances to keep track of possible changes ahead as well as the progress of your space.)
• They do not look back far enough.
• They stare instead of glance.
• They watch the cars and not the spaces.
• They look for spaces behind cars instead of ones in front of cars. (This makes a subtle but critical difference in a smooth merge. Just as in most lane changes, you think of accelerating to fill a space in front of a vehicle, not slowing to fit in behind one. Think flow.)
• They do not accelerate to an adequate speed.
• They do not think about what they are doing.

And now for the drivers in the stream with a merger approaching down the ramp. No need to do anything drastic, just think flow and ease a bit to give them room. Then flow on.

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