Personally I wasn't aware that different states have differnt rules regarding freeway merging, that's nice to be aware of.

I usually just try to make it as painless for both drivers, but sometimes it's impossible when the merger isn't even paying attention.

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Do you or do you not agree that the person in the slow lane has a clearer view of what is about to happen?
In my driving experience it is sheer fantasy to assume other drivers can SEE you, that they will SLOW for you, or that they CAN slow for you. I deal with reality and laws of physics. I expect no one to “look out” for me. I drive to protect myself and wait until there is a safe opening between cars to merge into, not depend on them to create that opening for me. That is defensive driving, my friend. Again, to clarify, I am not concerned with merging a hundred feet in front of light oncoming traffic where I would expect them to slow slightly. I am talking about merging into tight traffic, or there’s a car next to you.

If the answer is yes, then what collision are you refering to? If you are silly enough to stay in a lane and collide with the merging car with a blinker on and is oblivious to where you are just so that you can prove a point.
Please, please drive however you want. Go ahead and merge as if you have the right of way and expect the vehicle next to you or behind you to avoid you or slow down.
I’m sure a) they’re feeling mellow today, b) it’s not a teenager who got their license yesterday c) they’re not applying makeup, drinking coffee, talking on their cell phone, or checking the kids in the back seat, d) it’s not an 18 wheeler with a driver who’s been up all night and e) they have good brakes and insurance.
As Clint would say, “are you feeling lucky today?”

Well who is the silly one now?
After the accident? Oh, well…clearly it’s not you.

If your answer is no, then I can't help you
My answer is still “no” and I will politely decline your help, thank you all the same.
I’m not sure why you’re arguing with a post that simply says “this is how I drive and I don’t take chances like that”

My two cents to the merge issue is this: There are three kinds of "merger's",

1. the intelligent merge - the person who is on the on-ramp going about 30-40 mph and looks left to judge the flow/speed and spaces available and adjusts speed to safely merge and does so without incident, no body damage on car.

2. the yahoo merge - no lookie, talking on phone, just stomp the gas and go with no regard of safety what so ever, traffic flow etc., some body damage on car (hair/assorted human body parts and clothing clinging to front bumper), then causes the six car pile-up behind them.

3. the Q-tip, blue hair, old codger merge - head locked in the forward upright position, wrap around extra large plastic sunglasses (even at night), right turn signal has been on since 1952 , despite no traffic for 2 light years in either direction (or bumper to bumper going 60) still comes to a complete stop, doesn't look left because of stiff neck (wearing collar brace from previous day's driving experiences), counts to 5, then proceeds to accelerate at 0.0001 impulse when I'm the only person behind them, car has bricks and cement on roof from the "new" donut shop drive-thru ....then when you finally blow by them they give you the 1 finger salute...GBA..