NotUrsula
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2002
I agree that zipper merging is the best option, but unfortunately, Americans mostly are not aware of that. We are a nation that values the concept of waiting your place in line, so it is going to take a LOT of education to change the attitude that not merging as early as you can equals "cutting in line". We are conditioned to block people who try to cut into lines, and that goes double in the little power bubble of your own automobile. The first thing that should happen is that this question should be on every driver license test, and we also need signage, LOTS of signage. It would also help if GPS apps were programmed to remind drivers to zipper merge at lane closures, perhaps when highway speed drops below 40 mph.
The other thing I would remind Orlando drivers to do is to use the "brake tap" method when you see traffic slowing down ahead of you. Tapping your brake as you slow down causes your brake lights to flash, which is more likely to get the attention of the driver behind you. I find it super-important to do this on roads in the tourist areas of Orlando and on I-4, because there are so many distracted drivers there. It's good to avoid getting rear-ended!
Oh, and if you miss an exit on I-4, beware of the exits near Universal; they are not a good place to try to turn around. Very confusing area with restricted on-off access.
The other thing I would remind Orlando drivers to do is to use the "brake tap" method when you see traffic slowing down ahead of you. Tapping your brake as you slow down causes your brake lights to flash, which is more likely to get the attention of the driver behind you. I find it super-important to do this on roads in the tourist areas of Orlando and on I-4, because there are so many distracted drivers there. It's good to avoid getting rear-ended!
Oh, and if you miss an exit on I-4, beware of the exits near Universal; they are not a good place to try to turn around. Very confusing area with restricted on-off access.