ZipperMerge.Info

We've All Been There...

A highway lane is closed or ending and two lanes of traffic need to combine into one. Most drivers politely get over as soon as they see the merge sign, creating a long line of cars creeping toward the merge. But there are always a few drivers who speed to the front and cut into the line. It's infuriating, right?

Well, yes. But it's also the correct way to merge.. And if we all did it, we'd all get where we're going much faster.

What's Wrong With The Line?

Getting over early, when you first see the sign, is fine when traffic is light and there's plenty of space to merge at speed. But in heavy traffic, merging early tends to cause a backup or bottleneck because it puts all of the cars into one lane and leaves the other lane ... empty.

So What's A Zipper Merge, And Why Is It Better?

In a zipper merge, drivers continue using both lanes up to the merge point, and then they take turns proceeding in the single lane. The two lanes come together at one point, like a zipper.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, zipper merges increase efficiency by 40% because they use all available roadway to the merge point. Cars travel farther and faster before the merge and don't need to slow down as much to complete the maneuver.

Is It Legal? Is It Cheating?

As long as a travel lane is open, it's legal to use. Those folks who turn traffic into a long line may be polite, but they're neither efficient nor logical. Is it cheating to hack your commute by merging faster? Absolutely not! You are doing the traffic maneuver correctly, and they are wasting everyone's time.

And those people who drive down the line, blocking access to the empty lane? They are obstructing the flow of traffic, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.

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How Stuff Works

The New York Times

Drivers Who Merge at the Last Minute May Be Annoying, But They're Right

Read the article

The New York Times

Road Rage, ‘Zipper Merging’ and a Stress-Free Path Through Traffic

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USA Today

The New York Times

USA Today

Drivers, you're merging all wrong: Being polite is causing traffic jams, experts say

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Inc.

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen

USA Today

Rude Drivers Who Merge at the Last Moment Are Actually Helping You

read the article

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen

The zipper method: Merging safely

to avoid collisions

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Colonial Driving School

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen

How The Zipper Method

Encourages Late Merging

read the article