u/BackPsychological893

I've been driving in Chicago for 15 years, and I've lived here my whole life.

Over the past three years, I've encountered the insufferably self-righteous trend of certain drivers (notably transplants, going off the license plates, or younger drivers with IL plates,) actively pulling themselves out of lanes to "block?" anyone prior to reaching the end of their merge lane while they're approaching an expressway during rush hour or slowed traffic.

Seen it on multiple expressways, regardless of whether the driver they're blocking is "shortcutting" or *simply gaining momentum* for a "sincere" and *safe* merge.

I *believe* it's something done based on the indignant presumption that anyone merging must be trying to "cut the line."

And yes, some are. *Some aren't.* This is Chicago. We see people doing what they've gotta do and let them be.

On the same note, if you're merging *yourself,* and *especially* if you've got vehicles *behind you,* you need to go to *the end* of the merge lane. When y'all be braking with half the lane in front of you, you quite literally create a slow-down of brake lights and five-car margins that no one's got time for.

Thank you.

A single google search just led me to SEVERAL posts made here in the previous two years regarding what constitutes a "reasonable distance" between one's own vehicle and the vehicle ahead of them. Individuals are suggesting that drivers should measure a "reasonable" distance ahead to be that of the length FIVE(?!) cars.

It's a growing problem I've noticed in, yeah — the past two years.

"Safe distance" (especially amid heavy traffic) is measured by time. Drivers should maintain a distance of 3-4 seconds behind the driver ahead of them.

A gap of two, three, and most certainly FIVE cars is not only incredibly unnecessary, but it's also incredibly dangerous when the majority of drivers are measuring their distance by time, not space.

While that time can vary depending on the vehicle, on average, a driver's aim should 3-4 seconds.

I witnessed at least a third of drivers on the road just last week braking unnecessarily, all with the aforementioned gap of space ahead of them. Most of them doing so for miles-long stretches in the passing lane, mind you. What they were essentially doing was making a complete stop on the highway, despite all of the space between their own vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.

Too many of y'all have never burst into a meltdown at 16 years old with your dad screaming at you from the passenger seat that "you absolutely cannot stop like that on the highway," and it shows.

On a related note, changing lanes requires that one accelerate, not slow down. If you, yourself, are maintaining such a gap at all costs, maybe you'll have some space to accelerate, but not the cars piling up behind you. Same goes for the on-ramp merge; 35mph isn't gonna cut it. That's too slow when you're approaching 60mph traffic. I don't know where/how this consensus of straight-up misinformation has originated from, but it's causing accidents and confusion. (As is courtesy — do not stop an entire lane of traffic behind you to "let me in" while I'm waiting to make a left-hand turn into the opposite lane that's maintaining a steady flow of traffic. That lane ain't gonna stop for your "good deed of the day.")

Thank you.