Zipper Merge - It's being efficient, not rude

[HDWill1]

I learned about zipper merge when I was stationed with the Army in Germany and took the 'rules of the road' class there. It's very much part of the driving culture over there but definitely not in SC (or anywhere in the U.S.?). I do get perturbed when I notice places where it should be happening but doesn't.

[Sophiasmommy]

ha, I always do this but and my wife gets mad at me for it. Now I have documentation to back it up. Thanks Art for this informative post.

[blktoptrvl]

I've repeated this a few times, but I see people lining up in the "open" lane as far away as 2-3 miles and I always find it to be incredible. The lane is not not CLOSED until you get to the merge.

Yet people will line up and wait for an hour or so and then they sure get mad when I zip up to the front, zipper in two or three cars from the dead end and then zip away. I really don't get it, I understand being polite, I don't understand being stupid. Nobody told them to line up so far back.

Even worse are the truckers who decide to play "road god" and think they can block you from going around them.

But I agree... They need to put "proper" zipper merge signs in to make people understand how it should be done.

Not all, but at least some states ate publishing the "right thing" to do... They just need better signage.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/zippermerge/
http://www.modot.org/workzones/ZipperMerge.htm
Missouri, even acknowledges there are times when a early merge is better; but it is always during light traffic conditions... http://www.modot.org/stlouis/major_p...provements.htm

Germany has a pretty good sign...


And in my opinion, these signs are part of the problem... they give the impression you should merge into one lane and not zip.

[gvsteve]

Originally Posted by blktoptrvl

And in my opinion, these signs are part of the problem... they give the impression you should merge into one lane and not zip.

Exactly my question! If the sign says to merge now, and you don't do it now, isn't that a potential citation?

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by gvsteve

Exactly my question! If the sign says to merge now, and you don't do it now, isn't that a potential citation?

No, I could be wrong about some places, but in most places I have driven, I do not believe you can be ticketed - or if you are, it should be easy to fight - for not obeying those signs because they are advisory.