Merging could be quick and easy...

What is it with people these days and their utter lack of consideration for others on the road?

How much effort does it take to be even a little bit courteous? This is something my wife and I both wonder about. Why is it that more and more people these days refuse to let someone merge in when they are doing all the right things. Specifically, they are not rudely running all the way to the end of a merge lane to get ahead and they are using their turn signal to signify their desire to change lanes. I see this all the time and it just screams "inconsiderate ass" to me and most of the people that remember what manners and (un?)common courtesy is.

Merging lanes should be treated like a zipper. The only way a zipper works properly is if each side alternates. It is interesting that this concept is not advertised or posted to help get users to be more aware. The U.K. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure references the following:

It seems like a fairly simple concept but sometimes the most simple of concepts can be difficult for people to grasp. Most of the people that blatantly ignore this concept are the ones that are causing the most congestion and problems on the freeway. And, because they are in a hurry to get where they are going and unwilling to give an inch to another driver, they are actually the ones that are making their commutes longer.

Take a moment to give some space and I promise you it won't make your life any worse and might actually make the commute a little smoother. Especially if more and more people practices a little patience and courtesy.