Unpopular Opinions Thread

[utee94]

Not sure I agree on your first one, what if there's never any break in traffic?

On your second, that is actually the proper way to merge.  Use both lanes until the one lane ends, and then perform a zipper merge where every other car from the merging lane is allowed into the ongoing lane.

But selfish assholes will never allow that to happen.

[longhorn320]

If a sign says traffic should merge into 1 lane in one mile,  then traffic should use 2 lanes for the next mile.  No need to merge into 1 lane before the actual merge.

In Houston we do it a lot sooner to avoid the gun fight when folks wont let you in

[Cincydawg]

It's called a zipper merge, and is said to be faster, by EXPERTS!!!

traffic experts universally agree that the zipper merge, where drivers use both lanes until the merge point and then take turns merging, is the most efficient and safest way to manage traffic flow when a lane closes. 

[Gigem]

I always try to be courteous and allow people to merge.  We're already all stuck in traffic, what difference is it going to make if you let somebody in so you can all just continue to creep along?  Nothing.  It relieves so much stress off of me.  I often anticipate when 18 wheelers need to merge and allow enough space for them to get over in my lane as well.  They always look so surprised when I wave them in.  

[utee94]

I always leave 3 or 4 car-lengths when I'm in the right lane.  And then miraculously, after we've been in stop-and-go bumper to bumper traffic for a mile, after we get up to the actual merging point, and I'm allowing cars to enter the freeway and merge freely in front of me, all of a sudden the stop-and-go ends and traffic speeds up and moves smoothly.  That's just from ONE driver-- me-- doing it correctly.  Imagine if EVERYONE did it?

Of course, invariably there's some tailgating jackwagon behind me, who gets so very angry that I would dare allow people who need to get onto the freeway, to do so in front of them.  I mean, how dare I allow other people to "win" the freeway race in gridlock??

Those jackwagons often tailgate the hell out of me, then when they get a gap to the left they slam on the gas, scream around me to the side, then move swiftly over in front of me, only to have to slam on their brakes as they approach the stopped traffic ahead of them flying at 50 mph.  All the while I just keep on moving slowly along, giving 3 or 4 car-lengths, allowing people to merge, solving problems.  While the speedy gonzales in front of me is just riding his brakes, tailgating the next guy in line.

[utee94]

So ultimately, although the zipper merge is better in theory, in reality it relies on people acting rationally.

And people do not act rationally.

[847badgerfan]

My car is pretty low and there are a lot of tall pickup trucks here (many of which have handicap plates/cards...).

Anway, I get tailgated a lot and all I can see is a bumper, driven by some handicap guy who somehow manages to get in that tall pickup that he doesn't need.

And then to see them pull into a HC spot, jump out, and trot into the store. That pisses me off.

Grumpy thread worthy.

[Cincydawg]

And people do not act rationally.

That might be a popular opinion.

Notice how often someone will claim "everyone else is dumb"?  It's cute, I think.  

[Brutus Buckeye]

What's the least popular opinion that's been shared in this thread? 

[Cincydawg]

People shouldn't have animals/pets.

I'd vote for this one.

[847badgerfan]

MH is correct.

[Gigem]

I always leave 3 or 4 car-lengths when I'm in the right lane.  And then miraculously, after we've been in stop-and-go bumper to bumper traffic for a mile, after we get up to the actual merging point, and I'm allowing cars to enter the freeway and merge freely in front of me, all of a sudden the stop-and-go ends and traffic speeds up and moves smoothly.  That's just from ONE driver-- me-- doing it correctly.  Imagine if EVERYONE did it?

Of course, invariably there's some tailgating jackwagon behind me, who gets so very angry that I would dare allow people who need to get onto the freeway, to do so in front of them.  I mean, how dare I allow other people to "win" the freeway race in gridlock??

Those jackwagons often tailgate the hell out of me, then when they get a gap to the left they slam on the gas, scream around me to the side, then move swiftly over in front of me, only to have to slam on their brakes as they approach the stopped traffic ahead of them flying at 50 mph.  All the while I just keep on moving slowly along, giving 3 or 4 car-lengths, allowing people to merge, solving problems.  While the speedy gonzales in front of me is just riding his brakes, tailgating the next guy in line.

I think you said it perfectly....too many people think traffic is just something they can win.  They can't give an inch even if they're too stupid to realize they would literally gain miles.  

[Gigem]

What's the least popular opinion that's been shared in this thread?

45 pages worth....we should get an AI summary and vote.  

[GopherRock]

My co-workers at Metro Construction have been trying to get the Minnesota driving public to do this for years.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPby71TNC0

Unfortunately, what usually happens is this:


https://youtu.be/iXFY_V1BXoA?si=egPZeMQT8wGME7CA