Schaffers Crossing

I am borrowing this post from Pinecam.com this morning because it may just be the most intelligent answer to what is going on at Schaffers Crossing.

LiveMusicMan
Post subject: Re: Beware of 18 wheelers on wrong side of hwy at Shaffers x
Post Posted: Dec 28, 2014 8:20 am
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Joined: May 6, 2003 1:10 pm
Posts: 105

The confusion creating problem with respect to the SB approach to the Shaffer's Crossing interchange is simple: Its SB approach is a blind curve where a SB driver cannot actually see the configuration of the roadway around the curve before actually getting to it.

Driving SB (before getting to any of the signage) a driver is on a single lane from just south of Richmond Hill. Then, while approaching Shaffer's, a SB driver sees three lanes on his/her left. (Merge lane on the NB side.) Then said driver sees the sign announcing "Right lane must turn right." I believe this is the moment confusion sets in and fear of being in the wrong (exit) lane initiates a split second decision to cross the double yellow line onto NB lanes. The driver doubtless knows not to cross the lines but at that point does not even see or notice the lines because they have already convinced themselves that they are already in the exit lane. When a driver is attempting to look far ahead but cannot yet see the SC overpass bridge and divided highway beyond it they're likely not looking at the pavement and the lines painted on it. There are only a few processes that a person can simultaneously handle at any given moment.

Discussion about placing and extending Jersey barriers farther north up the roadway to make it indisputably obvious which side of the road a driver must remain on (and impossible to cross over) has been met with some concern by CDOT due to perceived snow clearing issues. However, increasing the number of flexible reflector posts uphill would essentially serve the same function as Jersey barriers. IMHO, this is what is needed NOW. If they get plowed over by CDOT snow removal trucks they can be easily and cheaply replaced.

I have run an experiment for years on Hwy 285.
Your i the slow lane and want to pass a car..... You move to the passing lane and start to pass the car on the right and they speed up making it more difficult to pass them and move back over.

I used to think people were just being @ssholes but I don't think so anymore.
I think it is just a subconscious reaction to being passed. This realization really calmed me down as a driver.
Try it some time and watch.
I think LiveMusicMan is on to something here.
The lanes, the signage and the situation as a whole may be tricking somewhat distracted drivers into the decisions they are making.
The sentence in red is so very true.

I do not understand why so many SB drivers end up on the NB side in this location. One possible thought is that a leading SB driver begins to take the exit lane, then suddenly swerves to the left to get back into the through lane, forcing the driver behind or very near into the NB side to avoid him.

If there is only one SB driver there at the time, I have no idea why the driver would move into the NB lanes.

We live off Shaffer's Crossing since before the road construction - when it was just an intersection. I can't for the life of me figure our how that happens. There's a huge double-yellow line right down the middle of the road.

The explanation offered above in Becky's post seems to be the most plausible that I've seen so far, and that begs the question of how far ahead are drivers looking? Apparently not past the front of their hood! Even though that is a blind corner it is well marked and IMO if you're not distracted by phones or whatever and looking ahead as one should when one is driving you'll see the upcoming division of the roadway.

But maybe that's because I live here and have dealt with it every day. I dunno. I'm with you, jf1acai. I don't get it at all.

I've been traveling 285 since 2005 pretty regularly every 4 to 6 weeks and the last time I went to Denver, we were headed back up the hill at night, when visibility for me is severely curtailed, and when it was snowing, which makes it worse for me, as I have an extremely difficult time seeing at night when there are headlights coming at me.

This time, to make matters worse, there were a lot of vehicles very close behind me and the headlights of their vehicles were shining in my side mirror.

I know the road, but in my visibility-challenged world at that time, I made a mistake and got into the exit lane without really wanting to. By the time I realized where I was, I had no time to get over 'cuz the vehicles behind me took advantage of me being in the exit lane and started passing me.

I just followed the exit ramp to the bottom and went straight back onto the highway.