Merge in turn

[u/bodybandmart]

Genuine curiosity here.

I’ve been commuting from Glasgow to Perth for work for about a year now, and there’s one thing I’ve never understood.

Why does seemingly nobody use both lanes on the A912 (Dunkeld Road) opposite the volvo garage?

Every afternoon there’s traffic trailing back to SSE roundabout / to Asda, despite there being two lanes available for going straight ahead.

I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else use the second lane. I’ll drive past an entire queue of cars in an otherwise empty lane, and I can’t understand why everyone insists on sitting in one long line.

Thanks cheers etc.

[u/Mr_PolicemanOfficer]

I think it’s mostly to do with the fact that it only lasts a very short distance once clear of the junction so most people see it as pointless.

The theory of merge in turn is good and should be utilised, especially on motorways, but on Dunkeld Road it just feels like a waste of time and there’s an expectation that one continuous lane of traffic would move better than it splitting and merging 50 meters later

[u/Temporary_Sky_6871]

It’s boggling. I use the second lane every time. That area as well as broxden roundabout is hellish during rush hour.

[u/bigeeee → u/Temporary_Sky_6871]

Hedllish!? Ive never been in a more quick moving traffic from Lands end to john oh groats in "rush hour" traffic, never been more than seconds let alone minutes. I really don't understand what people are talking about!

[u/MotherConfusion3773]

Probably the same reason everyone going A9 North queues for miles in left hand lane approaching Inveralmond when right lane filters into middle lane for A9 North at roundabout. Its a Perth thing 

[u/NoIndependent9192]

I use it sometimes, depends if I am in a hurry. It carries a small additional accident risk, so not worth it unless you are already at speed.

[u/_Bluehand]

Fun fact about the roads around that area: they are named after Scottish Islands, and you can even see Bute, Arran, Cumbrae, and Lismore in the first pic

[u/spannerspinner]

I use it if I’m confident I can get in front of the car using the left hand lane. If not then I don’t bother. There are too many idiots who’ve never heard of merge in turn.

In theory it’s a great idea, it keeps the junction more open so cars further back can still turn left if needed. In reality it doesn’t work, just like much of the road infrastructure in that area. Although none of it is that bad really!

[u/Kind-Construction243]

PSA as well, this road is a 40, not a 20 despite what every Honda Jazz driver thinks.

[u/Significant-Park1345]

Anytime you use it usually the car on the other side tries and blocks you off and as others saying it's literally 150 yards 🤷

[u/gr00ved → u/Significant-Park1345]

When that happens you just brake and pull in behind them. Let them have their "victory" - you've still passed 10+ sheep 🤷‍♂️

[u/Bill15RD]

I always use it to thrash my car but it is hardly worth it! It is the same going the other way too!

[u/Skulldo]

Because it's a pointless waste of effort. Its just easier and as quick to just stay in lane so long as other people don't use the second lane and cause people to break to let them in if they want to jump the queue.

[u/bodybandmart → u/Skulldo]

This is how you end up with traffic from Asda to Inveralmond roundabout

[u/Skulldo → u/bodybandmart]

Yeah but does the length matter? or is it the time and effort it takes to get to where you are going that's important?

[u/bigeeee]

I love to go in that lane and turn right to piss off all the bell ends who are trying to overtake in that turning right lane