If you do this when a lane ends — you’re wrong, experts say
(WJW) – What do you do when a traffic lane is about to end?
Do you merge as soon as you get a chance? Or, wait until the very last minute — zipping past the long line of traffic building in the other lane?
Well, according to the experts — those zipping past the long line of traffic are doing it right!
As the spring construction season begins, the Ohio Department of Transportation posted to Facebook a diagram explaining that when motorists approach a closing lane of traffic they should “use the zipper merge at these points to benefit all drivers.”
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As the diagram shows, drivers are encouraged to remain in the closing lane as long as possible and then take turns at the merge.
According to ODOT, “zipper merges can ease congestion & shorten backups by 40%, delaying congestion by 14 minutes & cutting the line of cars by over 1/3 of a mile!”
Experts also explained, “Merging too soon can lead to potentially unsafe driving behavior such as slowing too quickly, excessive braking, or dangerous lane changes.”
The post received hundreds of comments — and not everyone agreed.
“I merge as soon as I see the sign. Much better to have a single lane moving slowly than a single lane of stop-and-go traffic. You’re just encouraging line jumpers!” said one person.
Another responded, “I’ve been doing this my entire life, I always just thought I was a jerk! Turns out I’m making a difference!”
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ODOT officials responded to several posts that called the method into question.
In one response, ODOT said, “We are trying to explain how and why it works, that way instead of getting angry because you feel like you were cut off or someone was trying to jump the line, you can understand that the zipper merge is the best way to approach it.”
ODOT also noted that the state has been posting signs telling motorists how to approach these scenarios since 2021. You can see those signs, here.
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