Hacker News Reader

If you're going the same speed as the lane, it doesn't matter how busy it is as long as there's a car sized gap. If you're coming to a full stop and then trying to merge with a moving lane (what you shouldn't do), then yes, the busy lane is much more dangerous.

View on HN

But if you're trying to merge on, whether or not you have to stop before merging is not totally in your control. Specifically, if the right lane is packed, you may have to stop if there is no opening as you pull up. Then it will be harder to merge in, not only because you are starting from zero velocity but also because the lane is packed.

That is why I think people should not get in the right lane on a highway unless they are about to get off.

Don't stop if the right lane is packed. Keep going and a gap will open as traffic accelerates away from the stopped group creating distance - you don't need to merge immediately.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com