Question: Like most people, I travel every day for work and I know that construction season is upon us. Can you write about getting people to understand the zipper merge? I still see a lot of people that can’t seem to figure this out.
Answer: The zipper merge is a driving strategy that requires drivers to change their mindset about merging. Traditionally, drivers have been taught to merge early when a lane is ending. Early merging leads to longer backups, more crashes and road-rage incidents.
Zipper merge procedure:
• When you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your current lane until the point of merge.
• Take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly merge into the remaining lane.
• When traffic is heavy and slow, it is safer to remain in your current lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging orderly.
Benefits of the zipper merge:
• Reduces the difference in speeds between two lanes, making lane changes easier and safer.
• Reduces the overall length of traffic backups by up to 40 percent.
• Reduces congestion at freeway interchanges, especially in metropolitan areas.
• Creates a sense of fairness when all lanes are moving at the same speed.
• Reduces incidents of road rage.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
Any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, 2900 48th St., NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or send an email to: Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.