One of the most dangerous things drivers do on the road is weaving. It is the act of going back and forth between lanes. Such drivers may try to fix themselves in places that are not spacious or try to cut off other drivers recklessly. Simply put, weaving neglects driving rules and puts one’s life and other’s lives on the line.
It is one of the most dangerous driving techniques because the driver must maintain their speed and merge safely to another lane while simultaneously minding their environment; they must monitor the traffic before and after them. However, if the driver ahead slows down or stops, the merging driver might be involved in a rear-end crash. Also, if the rear driver speeds up or there is not enough space for the merge, it could lead to a side-swipe accident.
Why Do Drivers Weave in Traffic?
Most weaving drivers believe that it is time-saving. Driving around slower-moving traffic is indeed time-saving, but it is not worth putting other road users at risk. Every reasonable driver should always think of their safety and that of others.
In an experiment, a motorist weaving in and out of 46 mph traffic in rush hour got to work just two minutes before another car took the same lane in the journey. So, why should you employ such a risky tactic if it does not make any significant difference?
Another test shows that merging motorists may arrive 4 to 25 percent faster than their colleagues who follow just one lane, but they risk causing accidents and endangering their lives.
From the two tests, weaving is not worth it because it does not make a significant difference in travel time and heightens the risks of road mishaps.
The Biggest Concern with Weaving
The most critical issue is the space between cars when a driver weaves behind another. For instance, if Drivers A and B are moving three vehicle distances apart, and Driver C forces itself into that space, Drivers B and C will not have enough time to respond appropriately if Driver A stops abruptly. This problematic driving tactic has led to numerous rear-end accidents among weaving drivers.
Also, it becomes an issue if a driver wants to tailgate to change lanes quickly; the rear driver will lack sufficient time to stop if the front driver stops suddenly. In these situations, merging is not ideal and is unsuitable for any motorist, including the weaving driver.
Merging accidents happen. Hence, it is essential to lower the number of times you switch lanes while on the road. As you can see from the results of the two tests reported, there is no remarkable difference between maintaining one’s route and merging carelessly.
Furthermore, if you discover that a driver wants to merge, allow them to lower the risks for both of you. Sometimes, some hard-hearted drivers might want to close the gap to hinder the weaving driver, thereby leading to a collision. However, you can save the day by slowing down and letting them pass.
