A beginner driving question

[sdpapet]

Hi, I have a beginner question about the merging on freeway. We have a freeway here. In order to merge, you need to get on a loop first. You merge at the end of loop. I attached the pic.

I am not sure how fast I should drive when I just get on the loop. Last time, it was raining. I drove at 55 mph when I got on the loop. As you know, the turn of the loop is quite sharp, I almost hit the curb. There is no speed limit sign on the loop. Technically, I don't think loop is a part of freeway. I don't have to drive as fast as I do on freeway. Am I right?

Should I do this. The first half of the loop, I should drive normal speed (30 - 40 mph). After half of circle, I start to accelerate to freeway speed to get on the ramp.

If I drive at the freeway speed, I couldn't control my car very well.

 

[Natesriv]

maintain control speed on 3/4 of the loop. On the final curve, where it straightens out and begins to merge with the freeway, punch it and get up to highway speed. Slow mergers are a PITA and can cause accidents.

When merging, ensure your lane is clear, use your signal to notify the right lane drivers on the road you're about to merge. There will be times you need to slow down to get behind someone who may not be able to get over, or just being a jerk (there's quite a few of those!).

The main thing is be aware, flow with the traffic...signal..don't follow too close...etc...

Also, a lot of on ramps have a yellow speed sign as an advisory to the speed you should use... For that type... you'd probably be in the 25-35mph part for the up until it begins to straighten out..

 

[bluejay]

we have those everywhere up here . they have suggested speed limits on them usually its half the posted speed of the road or highway ur about to merge on highways in ontario are 100km/h = 60 mph and the suggested speeds on on-ramps are usually 40-60 kmph except the really sharp turns , then is usually 20 km/h . only drive as fast as u feel safe or conditions allow u to drive safely. ps roads are always more slippery when it just starts raining than it is when raining all day so keep that in mind.

 

[WyrTwister]

We have a loop around our city . Most of our on ramps have a straight away section where you merge with the " main " traffic . Posted speed limit on the loop id 60 -65 mph . I try to be making that speed as I merge .

What the OP described is simple bad engineering , but nothing he can do about that .

My basic philosophy is to be prepared to out run the other guy , if it comes down to it .

God bless
Wyr

 

[sdpapet]

maintain control speed on 3/4 of the loop. On the final curve, where it straightens out and begins to merge with the freeway, punch it and get up to highway speed. Slow mergers are a PITA and can cause accidents.

When merging, ensure your lane is clear, use your signal to notify the right lane drivers on the road you're about to merge. There will be times you need to slow down to get behind someone who may not be able to get over, or just being a jerk (there's quite a few of those!).

The main thing is be aware, flow with the traffic...signal..don't follow too close...etc...

Also, a lot of on ramps have a yellow speed sign as an advisory to the speed you should use... For that type... you'd probably be in the 25-35mph part for the up until it begins to straighten out..

Thank you. What is the yellow speed sign looks like. I haven't noticed it.

 

[Natesriv]

something like this

 

[Llia]

I was in my dads 300Z TT for my first training car, highway experience. I merged at 25 onto a 55mph freeway because I was scared. Then I pushed the gas after my dad noticed how slow I was going and put a smile on everyone's face.

Now I take my corners/merges as fast as the tires let me, usually until they squeal. Not in the rain though. So don't worry. The timid merging is just a bit of unfamiliarity. Once you get more confident your driving will improve.

I think those yellow signs are rated at half the speed you can take the corner at, but certainly don't test that theory on my account. *unless you drive rally, then it's maybe 1/3 of the speed.

 

[mightysonic]

maintain control speed on 3/4 of the loop. On the final curve, where it straightens out and begins to merge with the freeway, punch it and get up to highway speed. Slow mergers are a PITA and can cause accidents.

Slow mergers in Florida are the #1 cause of my road rage! I take a fairly sharp curve going home every day to merge onto I95 and my sonic will easily do 50mph on stock hankooks with the GM Performance suspension kit maintaining perfect control. I've pushed it to as much as 60mph! If your car is stock, 45mph is a reasonable speed for the majority of highway merge loops and ramps obviously, there are exceptions here.

Accidents happen when slow mergers are going 20mph UNDER the highway speed limit AND blindly merge onto the highway without checking mirrors. Yes it's hard to believe, but I see it nearly every day! No wonder my auto insurance keeps going up!

I think those yellow signs are rated at half the speed you can take the corner at, but certainly don't test that theory on my account. *unless you drive rally, then it's maybe 1/3 of the speed.

I strongly feel that those yellow signs are meant for vehicles that are 20 years or older with primitive suspension in the absolute worst possible conditions. Now a days, MOST cars can safely do 10-20mph over the posted corner speed in ideal conditions, since the merge loop I use daily (above) has a posted corner speed of no more than 30mph.

 

[sdpapet]

something like this

Hi Natesriv,

Thanks. If I see the sign,

1> I should keep the speed limit at the 35 mph? If I keep this limit, I am a little worry about the too slow to merge

2> or After I pass the sign I should start to accelerate?

 

[Daisy81]

Hi Natesriv,

Thanks. If I see the sign,

1> I should keep the speed limit at the 35 mph? If I keep this limit, I am a little worry about the too slow to merge

2> or After I pass the sign I should start to accelerate?

I don't slow down for them. I go as fast on them as I can safely.

 

[bluejay]

most of us here would take it at much faster than 35 , we can't tell u what speed to go to take the turn . if i tell you 60 and u take it at 60 id feel bad u crashed ur car or even worse got hurt . only go as fast as ur driving ability allows u to drive. best thing to do is practice . start slow the first time and then go a little faster until u know what u and the car can handle . having a slow poke merge infront of me on the highway erks me but hey not everyone has the same abilities . i threat traffic on the streets like i do on the ski hill , people infront of u have the right of way . dont worry bout the faster traffic behind u , they will just pass u when they have the chance . just dont pull infront of ppl if ur doing 20 and u know they are doing 60

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If I remember my classes from being a kid, the sign you show is the recommended speed. Personally, I take it as I feel comfortable doing so. When merging onto the freeway, I was taught you should be going the speed of the traffic when you come off the ramp.