Merge late, cooperate!
This will be my first column regarding rules of the road. Yep, you live here and you know what an onslaught of construction we are obliged to be considerate about. After all, when it’s said and done, won’t it be nice? But for now, we must talk about the zipper merge, or how to merge two or more lanes into one.
You should know states across the country have been implementing zipper merge recommendations for more than a decade.
I used to think of it as cutting in line, and I had thoughts like, “Didn’t you see the merge sign?” and “Why didn’t you get in line before?” I have even been aggravated enough to want to cut off the offending driver. But that is all in the past.
Experts agree on the zipper merge and here is why: drivers using two lanes until the lane becomes one create more available road space which is needed during construction. And taking turns to merge to one lane at the end is both safer and better for traffic flow.
I know many motorists consider it very rude, but if you think that yourself, you might want reconsider and go ahead and let someone into that merge lane.
Big Love,
Mrs. Abramovitz
