Why is it that when people are going to get on the interstate they slow down in the merge lane?

Question

Why is it that when people are going to get on the interstate they slow down in the merge lane?

Answer 1

argh... i hate it when that happens. there will be 4 cars on the on ramp... and we're only doing 45! the traffic we're all trying to merge into is going 75... and the guy in front who was going soo slow gets in safely.. right in time for a semi doing 80 to be in my way to merge. slow mergers should be fined.

Answer 2

Some people are intimidated. Some just want to be cautious.

Answer 3

The rule is that 'thru-traffic' (already on the interstate) has the right of way and that merging traffic must yield...Many interstates have 'yield' signs on the on-ramps...The slow pokes appear to have never been trained properly on the correct way to get on the freeway...To merge correctly a vehicle must at or near speed of thru-traffic...Slowing down while getting on the highway can lead to a traffic citation for being a hazard to traffic...It's a balancing act.

Answer 4

Fear and inexperience mostly.  There are a lot of people who equate speed with danger and death.

My mom drove all her life, but refused to use freeways and never drove over 35MPH because she was convinced that any speed over that would kill her.

Once, she asked if I was still riding my motorcycle on that "dangerous" freeway, and I told her "yes. That's the safest place to ride one"  well, she looked at me like I was CRAZY.

P.S. (MOM, I KNEW you would give a thumbs down, even though you're currently residing at Forest Lawn Cemetery)

Answer 5

It is called yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic that might be there also known as the rules of the road...............

Answer 6

I notice this a lot and most people do not use the entire runout lane to get up to speed before they merge. Inexperience and timid I would guess.

Answer 7

because they're stupid or timid or both.

Answer 8

they are scared we are gong to ram them. Or they don't know how to use their mirrors or judge distance.