This is one of those things that should be simple and not worth talking about, but during my daily commute I have realized that it is, in fact, beyond the comprehension of a rather alarming number of people.   

A merge occurs when one road meets another road in a flowing fashion where the roads meet going in the same direction, there is usually no need to stop and traffic flows quite nicely when there aren’t too many morons around. Also, if you are already on the road, how about getting into the left lanes and not cruising in the right lane, you’re in everyone’s way.

There are two scenarios with merging, one where traffic is moving quickly, and one where heavy traffic causes you to move slowly.

In the first, where traffic moves quickly, it is absolutely necessary to use the accelerator to increase your speed to, or past, the posted speed limit in order for you to safely join the traffic flow of the road. I cannot believe how many people actually slow down when merging onto a highway, traffic is clearly going faster so you should be too. Such practices are far more dangerous than the idiot coming off of the on ramp at 90mph because at least he isn’t blocking the flow of traffic.

The second scenario is in heavy, slow moving traffic. In such situations speeds are seldom above 20mph, so there is a lot of room for error and time to realize what is going on around you, so there is no excuse for stupidity other than absolute incompetence or willful arrogance. The correct way a merge should happen here is everyone lets one person go ahead of them before they proceed, this is slow but it keeps everything moving which is the all important goal.

It is amazing to me how many people just cannot do this simple task properly and it really is always because they are either an absolute, barely functioning idiot or because they are a outright, inconsiderate asshole. People need to wake the hell up, when you get in the car you should be driving, and only driving.

-Nick