Oh they read it, they just think they’re special
Zipper merge is best merge you dingus.
In Australia if your front two wheels are ahead of the other person’s front two wheels, and you’re indicating to move into their lane - they have to let you in. It’s the law.
Takes a lot of the rage out.
The issue is this:
A) Your lane is ending. Drive to the end of the lane and then merge. Simplest reason: why the fuck would they build that much lane if you’re not supposed to drive on it? Alternate reason: you’re just stretching the traffic jam farther back where it could be blocking people from exiting or getting on.
B) Your lane is exit only. Get the fuck out of that lane, you’re blocking people legitimately trying to exit. You’re a cheating cheater and you’re clogging the exit lane.
C) Your lane is not an exit and you want to get into an exit lane. Get into the exit lane as soon as possible. Late merge is just going to clog up a lane and you’re a cheating cheater.
These situations are not the same but people think they are.
But this post’s context is only A, right?
yes.
Like most things, a zipper merge works only if EVERYONE is abiding by it. Much like they tested and found out that a plane can have all passengers boarded and seated with luggage in about 15 minutes…if everyone followed the rules. But know, every damn over-entitled Karen, Jaxson, MacKhenzie and the rest of their ilk feel the rules don’t apply to them.
THAT’S THE CORRECT WAY.
Merge at the lane end for fuck’s sake.
Everyone that merges early creates a spot for the closing lane traffic to move up and slows down the through lane, then the next person does it, slows the thru lane, repeat ad nauseam. So if you think you’re being smart merging early you are actually fucking up the flow. There are always people going to be running up the closed lane to try to take “cuts”, so how do you prevent that? By everyone zipper merging at the end! No open lane for them to “cheat.”
Zipper merge at the end is the only way.
Source: I see this every single day I drive to work in an area with shit road design, heavy traffic, and bad drivers.
What do you mean though
I don’t think the main benefit is cutting off cheaters - it is about using the road more effectively. If you have 2 miles of a single lane full of cars next to an empty lane (that is blocked at the constriction), the congestion is more likely to block intersections, ramps, etc. Studies show that having 2 lanes full of cars with a zipper merge at the point constriction is the most efficient:
Don’t feed the troll.
Shhhhhh
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This article falsely assumes the only options are halting traffic to wait for an opening or dash faster than speed of traffic until the end of the lane closure then just expect someone to allow room so kinda a bad explanation of zipper merge and proper driving etiquette
Not sure if you took drivers ed but zipper merging is not zooming past stopped cars to last second dart over in the shoulder, it’s speed matching the lane you are merging into to weave in like a zipper. Crazy how even the name isn’t informative enough for people to understand the concept
I’ve been reading this for years, and the hypothesis always seems to be that zipper merging is good because it maximizes road usage. You know what else maximizes road usage? Bumper to bumper gridlock.
Gridlock doesn’t maximize it. Bumper-to-bumper at 80mph does, though
I don’t understand people like this. There are two lanes. Use them. If everyone merges into one lane over two miles it’s going to create a HUUGE backup. Use both lanes, zipper merge at the end. Stop being stupid and use your brain instead of your emotions.
The problem is pure selfishness. Can’t allow a single car to get ahead or your day is ruined. They seem to think their being earlier is a confirmed reservation and rightfully their spot.
Then there’s those absolute fuckheads who drive in the middle of the road blocking both lanes.
If I was a cop I would ticket one of those people every time I saw one. Blocking traffic? Ticket.
If it’s a lane closure, yes, you zipper merge at the end-- imo, because you need visual confirmation of what’s happening but also because it’s predictable and usually both lanes are already matching speeds and zipper merging ahead of you. There’s no need to complicate things with an early swap. Granted, I rarely see a lane closure warning more than 100 meters, if at all… in my tiny car, the best indicator that we’re merging is sudden lane changes of everyone in front of me.
Where I draw the line is when there’s an exit only lane on a freeway and people are zooming along and suddenly want in. Did they jump into that lane just to get ahead? Or are they a helpless victim of circumstance from the latest onramp and unable to merge until now? I let them in, but I’m usually bitter about it.
I think people forget that nobody is racing you. If someone merges into traffic in front of you, theyre not winning and youre not losing. It’s all OK. You dont have to be upset.
In addition to the zipper merge arguments, also note that MOT (management of traffic) guys tend to not be the sharpest crayons in the box, nor the most diligent and responsible. I’ve seen enough “lane closed ahead” signs left up in situations where the lane was absolutely not closed, that I don’t even bother reacting until I see some cones or other indication that it actually is closed.
Upvoting all of OPs posts because you gotta respect the commitment
My favorite are the people in large vehicles who decide to be the police of this bullshit methodology and straddle the lanes.
Zipper merge mther fcker!
I’m a tax payer and I’m going to drive in all the lanes I paid for then zipper merge when needed. If we all pile up in one lane because we are too collectively stupid to use all our lanes and zipper merge then we are the traffic we deserve.
Yes yeeees Everyone fight
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That sign was for him and for you to prepare to leave the room for a car to zipper merge when the time comes, dummy.
Jesus, the only thing worse than incorrect is confidently incorrect.
It’s weird when people think getting places fast or first is the point of driving.
“Safe” is the word you’re looking for. Then, as fast as safe will calmly allow.
