Unyielding nightmares

(David L. Ryan /Globe Staff)

By David Filipov, Globe Staff

Turns out lots of readers have unyielding stories of their own. Sunday's article about difficulties Massachusetts drivers have merging onto highways prompted readers to share their nightmares involving that red-and-white upside-down pyramid. The top five are below. Have your own unyielding nightmare? Share it here.

1) "The driver was my brother-in-law … "

I am a long distance trucker that grew up here in Boston. One day in 1986 I was on Interstate 93 headed north when a Volvo station wagon loaded with children pulled in front of me and my 40-ton 18 wheeler, without looking. Over 80-feet long is pretty hard to miss. Fortunately because of my experience I anticipated this type of driver. The irony is that the driver was my brother-in-law, a graduate of M.I.T. A math genius. He told me later that it never occurred to him to look, that he assumed that the traffic in the right lane would adjust. I pointed out to him the fact that yielding was not a suggestion but the law. He had a hard time with that until I suggested he do the math.

I have always felt that people learning to drive should be required to spend a couple of hours in an 18 wheeler so that they can see traffic from our perspective. It would make people better drivers. But hey, what do I know, I'm just a truck driver.

- Larry from Boston

2) 'It’s like trying to join the Indy 500 in progress!'

Twice a week I take Route 128/Interstate 95 North to work in Waltham. If you take 128/95 North and get off at the Mass Pike/Route 30 Exit and want to proceed to Route 30 or Comm. Ave, the Pike traffic coming from the Pike Toll and going to 128/95 North comes barreling at you. They have the Yield but in 3 years I’ve NEVER seen someone honor it. And the space to merge over to get on the Route 30 off ramp is just enough for 18 Wheelers, coming from off the Pike headed to Burlington, to run right up your back. It’s like trying to join the Indy 500 in progress!

-- Timothy from Milton

3) Sideswiped near South Bay

I was sideswiped by a vehicle entering southbound on Interstate 93 near South Bay Mall. The driver of the entering vehicle insisted he was just "going straight". The damage was consistent with both of our accounts and the accident ruled no fault. I still do not understand how he was not held accountable for not yielding.

--Martha in Quincy

4) 'I got the 'one finger salute back!'

Got one for you: The yield sign for the Route 60 off-ramp, which comes directly into a rotary, just before Medford City Hall, just before Medford Square! There was a lady in a black BMW, flying off Interstate 93 South, totally ignoring the yield sign, right into the rotary, kept on going, towards Medford Square. Since she just about hit me, I gave her a beep, a look. I got the "one finger salute back!" I often have to encounter that off ramp, since I am coming through Malden, into Medford via Route 60 (Salem St.) Check it out sometime, for yourself. Also, my daughter said what annoys her the most, is when she waves people through, and they can't give her a wave or nod "thank you" because they're on the phone.

--Dotty in Medford

5) 'Here comes some jerk in the middle lane'

Route 106 West Bridgewater on ramp from the West Bridgewater. I've lost count how many times I've attempted to 'merge' after 'yielding'. Here comes some jerk in the middle lane who decides they have to take the West Bridgewater off ramp, and you're at the end off the acceleration lane, so you jump on your brakes and he (yes, more times then not) gives you the customary gesture. In fact this just happened again Saturday, with a Silver/Grey Toyota Celica. But, fear not, it's not just cars, I've had semis and straight jobs do the same thing.

--Bob from Brockton

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