Adjusting the traffic flow
Our Shauna Hunt interviewed the author of a new book on traffic patterns who says, basically, that we need to be more confident and a bit more aggressive on the road.
But he means aggressive in a good way, not in a selfish me-at-all-costs way. And confidence is not to be confused with arrogance.
Tom Vanderbilt is the author, and - as an example - he says studies show driving all the way to the end of the merge lane before butting over, actually improves the flow of traffic.
But he also admits it’s very hard to get people to change their ways on the road and that everyone thinks they’re the good driver and everyone else is wrong. Plus, waiting until the end of the merge lane to butt in seems pretty risky, doesn’t it? What if you run out of lane?
Left lane hoggers, scaredy-cats who putt-putt in the centre lane, bobbers and weavers - they’re all trouble on the roads but trying to modify their habits is a bit of a losing battle.
The book is called Traffic, Why We Drive The Way We Do And What It Says About Us. Vanderbilt says from what he’s seen, Toronto drivers are quite polite. But he’s from New York so, it’s all relative.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hi Lisa,
I wonder if Tom Vanderbilt has ever driven on a GTA freeway lately. I do that twice daily on my commute to and from the office and I can firmly say that waiting to the very end of the merge lane to butt-in actually slows traffic to a crawl because by forcing your way in, all traffic behind you has to stop. I haven’t read the book so I can’t comment on the rest of it, but on the merging issue, he’s out to lunch.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hi Lisa
I agree with Marcel. I do not wait until the end, I merge when ever I can and as soon as I can, without having anyone have to break to let me in! I have been witness to too many people waiting until the end only to find no one will let them in. Perhaps they feel like the merging traffic is butting in line after roaring along the merge lane. The closed ramp on the 427S onto the QEW E is a prime example. You get into your correct lane, you crawl along until it is your turn to get onto the one lane ramp only to have someone fly along and barge in at the last minute after you have been crawling along for 5 mins. I have seen many a driver refuse to let them in. Now the merger is stopped, blinker on, and blocking the lane they are in. I agree with Marcel, it slows traffic!
Also wanted to say, Im sorry to hear you are leaving 680 news. I will certainly miss you every morning! Best wishes to you in your future endeavors Lisa!
Thanks for the great years to my ears!
Wendy