Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 29, 1995 TAG: 9506290070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
E.H., Roanoke
A: It's a matter of drivers' perceptions and judgment.
Each driver has a personal idea of what constitutes yielding. Some treat "yield" as "merge." Others think "yield" means "stop."
In a neighborhood of two-lane roads and 25-mph speed limits, a "yield" sign is pretty matter-of-fact. Nearly everybody will stop if someone's coming, and slow-and-go if the way's clear.
Hershberger Road at I-581 is different. Six lanes on both roads and a 40-mph speed limit on Hershberger qualify this as a major intersection.
Drivers' perceptions, reactions and manners adjust to the Hershberger hustle. Their experience in other cities and their aggressiveness come into play.
"Yield" is still the law, which says slow down to a speed reasonable for the conditions, yield to drivers approaching the intersection and, if required for safety, stop. (Section 46.2-821 of the code.)
The key for Hershberger at I-581 is this: Be ready for other drivers to stop, speed up or cut you off.
The people who handle this and most other intersections best are the "live and let live" types, who give other drivers an opening to change lanes and hope for the same courtesy in return.
Just for fun, and on the advice of Roanoke Traffic Engineer Bob Bengtson, I asked a dozen or so drivers if they yield there, and why - or why not.
Six said they yield first and then merge. Another six said they yield only when their door is on the verge of merging with a semi's bumper.
Some of their answers:
"I don't yield. ... To tell the truth, I never even paid attention to the 'yield' sign."
Another: "I yield and try to flow into traffic. Unfortunately, too many people in the Roanoke Valley think 'yield' means 'stop.'''
Most were like this person: "I slow down and try to merge carefully, keeping in mind that cars are backing up behind me."
One to watch: "I am continually frustrated by the number of people who think 'yield' means 'hit the brakes and wait until nothing is coming.' ... To me, it means exactly the opposite - step on the gas and slip into traffic at the same speed it's going (but don't hit them)."
Another to watch: "I yield. But those behind me don't think you're supposed to, so they go around me, have honked their horn at me, and some have even given me the finger as they went around me. Most Roanokers don't know what 'yield' means."
There you have it: an unscientific survey of random driver attitudes. See you all at Hershberger and I-581.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB