Have you ever made the zipper maneuver?

G

GP44

Member
Whenever possible and if the traffic will slow I always try to merge into the lane of traffic that goes through.
What I mean is that if I see a sign that says (Lane Closure Ahead Merge)
It usually tells us what lane is the through lane and traffic flows better if everyone gets in the suggested lane ahead of time.
Then I saw a remark about the (Zipper Maneuver) and the guy was saying that someone was racing against him to get ahead before his lane ran out.
I looked up zipper maneuver and it is explained that when there is heavy traffic in both lanes going the same direction and they end up where one lane is closed then they are supposed to take turns taking the lane that goes past the blockage and that is the law now in several states.
 
I admit, I’m not a good ‘zipper’.

I tend to get into the correct lane early on and resent the people that ‘zip’ past me and try to cut in ahead of me.

I do try to tell myself that it’s not a big deal but it still goes against my sense of fairness.

Being a good ‘zipper’ probably makes sense, I see it in practice at the Delta Sonic Car Wash.

It works fine until a self important ‘me first’ kind of person throws off the rhythm of the flow as multiple lanes merge into one at the entrance of the car wash.

I suppose that’s true when it comes to just about everything in life. 🤔
 
Last edited:
My merging into traffic depended where I lived. Coming into a highway on the east coast I usually took turns with the cars already on the highway. Usually no one let you in right away. In the Midwest, I would not merge until the merge lane ended, then work my way in. I was deemed too aggressive in my driving when I moved to the Midwest, as most there are nicer drivers
 
Pennsylvania does not enforce the zipper maneuver technique. It’s not a law on the books, however, it is suggested to use it to help control traffic and keep it flowing. It’s OK to stay in the merge lane to the end and then move over. The idea is to create 2 lanes of traffic and take turns with the non merge lane in order to keep traffic flowing.

It is illegal to block a lane to prevent other vehicles from passing your vehicle to get ahead of you. If a vehicle is in the merge lane, they should go to the end and then move over taking turns. Too many drivers do not understand how merging is supposed to work.

Moving over too early causes the non merge lane to get backed up. If traffic is light, it’s OK to move over early.
 
If there is an empty lane I'm using it. Not using both lanes is a waste of space causing motorists behind the merge to wait longer because people only use 1 lane, not 2. If one isn't confident in their ability to merge perhaps a driving lesson or just not driving is the answer.

Classic bad behavior associated w zipper merges are folks that straddle both lanes blocking the flow of traffic in a effort to impose their will on others. It's illegal, anti-social, and rage inducing behavior.

You better have your mind right to face this every morning!

HuntsPoint.jpeg
 
Last edited:
From the local rag this morning. Clearly this person needs to get over themselves, doesn't understand that they can't always be "first" and that leaving empty space delays everyone behind them. We are in the 2nd of 3 years of construction requiring a merge coming into town which has turned a 15-20 min ride into 2 hours on certain mornings.



skippy.jpg
 
Last edited:
Many drivers are AFI.... Absolute (F)ing Idiots... Perfect example we witnessed last year on I-40 in WNC...
We are coming down the mountain and traffic was moving fine coming up... at the very bottom of the mountain traffic was backed up for several miles. Didn't see anything like a wreck... couple hours later we are heading back and hoped things had cleared up....
NOPE.... 2 lanes of traffic crawling along... and finally come to a sign..... Left lane closed 2 miles ahead....
So everyone is jumping back and forth to try and get ahead.... when we get to the bottom of the mountain... sure enough they closed the left 3RD lane... So it was 2 lanes into 2 lanes but the lane changing idiots got the traffic backup for no reason.
 
I-15 north has lane closures that don't have signs. The way the right lane shuts down just ahead of the Tropicana & Flamingo Blvd. exits is a painted arrow in the right lane. Those that are familiar still try to zip in at the last minute. Not good watching a tractor trailer tires smoking trying to stop from hitting those idiots.

I've become used to others waiting until there is no right lane left to travel in & anticipate them edging in. I slow enough to give them space to get in.
 
I do a lot of maneuvers. Some legal and some probably not. My wife says I take too many chances,
I’m best known for my U-turns that may happen at anytime.

When I am in a work zone, I am careful not to break any laws.
I do get in the shorter lane and wait my turn to move over.
 
Knight said:
I-15 north has lane closures that don't have signs. The way the right lane shuts down just ahead of the Tropicana & Flamingo Blvd. exits is a painted arrow in the right lane. Those that are familiar still try to zip in at the last minute. Not good watching a tractor trailer tires smoking trying to stop from hitting those idiots.

I've become used to others waiting until there is no right lane left to travel in & anticipate them edging in. I slow enough to give them space to get in.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you're in the LV metro area, the freeways are a zoo!
 
GP44 said:
I saw a remark about the (Zipper Maneuver) and the guy was saying that someone was racing against him to get ahead before his lane ran out.
I looked up zipper maneuver and it is explained that when there is heavy traffic in both lanes going the same direction and they end up where one lane is closed then they are supposed to take turns taking the lane that goes past the blockage and that is the law now in several states.
Click to expand...
When I read this at 2am, I couldn't make head n'r tails of it, just that it had something to do with traffic.

Proper merging. Yeah, there was always that one guy, right? Then there was a handful of 'em. And now it's a free-for-all.

I know why. It's because American high-schools stopped giving free driving lessons to students. And not long after, free driving lessons was one of many services eliminated from immigration services.

In fact, immigration services was stripped to almost no services back in 2002, when the INS was placed under the new Homeland Security umbrella, a big fat stupid move.

Free driving lessons for state high-school students used to be paid for with state taxes, and was generously subsidized with federal tax dollars. But the feds reduced the subsidies, and then cut them off entirely very soon after.

Schools gradually had to get rid of DMV certified instructors, then cut the number of training vehicles until they couldn't afford to maintain any at all, and they finally had to stop free driving lessons altogether. And now, few state high-schools schools even offer driver training for a fee.

Worse than that, though, is that immigrants don't get free driving lessons anymore. That's a DISservice, to them and everyone else.

Most them probably know someone who can teach them the basics, but not someone who'll explain all the laws and ordinances and drivers etiquette. And if they were already driving in their country of origin, they just start driving soon as they get a car. And they drive like they did "in the old country".

At least American teenagers have a parent or know an adult who can teach them to drive and understand traffic signs, and a lot of them can still read the DMV booklets. Where those still exist.


Bottom line, starting the 1990s, this is all about taxes being spent elsewhere instead of being used to ensure young Americans and new American citizens are safe, knowledgeable, considerate drivers. Which puts everyone and their families at risk.
 
There should be a sign that directs folks to fill both lanes. Then another sign at the point where folks take turns.

What happens instead is the most people merge way ahead of time and others race by to the front, causing those waiting to feel cheated and even angry.
 
Jeni said:
I try to be considerate but in my area the signs saying lane closes gives people ample opportunity to merge yet they pile up at closure area and EXPECT others to just let them in. so people get tired or that attitude quickly..
Click to expand...
That is exactly how the zipper merge is supposed to work... use BOTH lanes and take turns at the closure.
Yes, you are expected to let people in, every other one.
 
Most drivers in my area are hoggish and inconsiderate. I change lanes only when I'm 100% sure it's safe, never depending on any of them to be courteous. I have even exited the interstate and chosen an alternate route if I can foresee a problem ahead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top