Crazy Lane Changers

I'm RahIita Thornton from the Thornton Esquire Law Group. I want to talk to you today about why, when somebody's trying to change lanes, you speed up and you won't allow that person to change lanes. I even see it with myself. And I see it with other cars.

When somebody turns on their signal in order to change lanes, the car behind them often speeds up so that they don't get to change their lane. I think it's rude, disrespectful and unsafe. As a result, I have decided that I need to approach this in a different way. So, let me explain how I change lanes.

First, I make sure that there is going to be enough room so that I can change lanes. I turn on my signal and I immediately move over. That's because I feel that if I don't immediately move over after turning on my signal, somebody is going to speed up, and I won't be able to make my lane change. I also fear that they may hit me.

So I have adapted to Houston drivers. When Houston drivers see that you're trying to get over, they're going to speed up, so that you are stuck where you are. I do it so much that people say that I jerk when I do my lane changes. I don't agree with that.

Maybe they feel that I do, but I don't jerk when I get ready to make my lane changes. Yet I do it quickly and make my lane change immediately after I turn my signal on and check my rear-view mirrors, so that the person behind me doesn't speed up and keep me from getting over. So that is my approach and my defensive driving when it comes to changing lanes and how to get over.

I'm sure that you have your own experiences as well. And I hope you're not that driver that doesn't allow the person to your left or to your right to safely get over in front of you.

In the meantime, let's be patient, considerate and respectful on the road. That way, we can all make it back home safely to our loved ones.

And if you have any stories or anything about how you do your lane changes, or if you have a tip or suggestion for me, send it to me. I'm open.