Yep, and I just wish they would post signs to that effect, so people like
RetiredGypsy don't get mad at us for doing it correctly!
If you think about it for a second (this is the "Thinking, Fast and Slow" concept/book I've talked about before), it makes perfect sense. Why would you have a section of roadway, and not let people use it? It is just a wasted resource, causing more traffic backup. If they wanted you to merge way back there, they would have put the gate way back there!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinking,_Fast_and_Slow
OK,
RetiredGypsy , now that you know better, please stop getting mad at us, and tell ten friends, and tell them to tell ten friends!
Oh, and maybe an apology is in order for the "rectal-cranial inversion" crack against your fellow er.org members? Hmmmm?
-ERD50