Zip Merging

Zip merging is a driving technique that, when used correctly, gives the best traffic flow where two lanes merge into one. It also greatly reduces the likelihood of an accident in this situation.

The basic principle is that drivers leave sufficient space in front of them to allow a single car to merge from the lane that is closing. This technique relies heavily on cooperation.

Benefits

Both lanes of traffic continue to flow smoothly.
Accidents are far less likely to occur.

Realities

Tailgating Preventing Merging

There are often drivers that tailgate the vehicle in front of them, either from ignorance or deliberate action to prevent anyone from merging into “their” lane. This can be very frustrating for you as options are limited before the road starts to close:

Car A is tailgating and preventing the Car B from merging.
There are four options in this situation:

  • If there is a space available, accelerate and try and find a space further ahead. However, other drivers may perceive this as aggressively trying to “jump the queue” and a driver that may have already let one or more cars merge could be angry at having to let a queue jumper in.

  • Try and force your way in front of the vehicle that is tailgating. Obviously, this is the most likely to cause an accident as you are gambling that the driver that is tailgating will “chicken out” and let you in.

  • Stop in the lane. This can be very dangerous and relies heavily on the drivers behind being able to stop without causing an accident.

  • Slow and indicate left to invite another driver to allow you to find a space. This may cause problems for the driver behind you as they may be preparing to merge into the space that you now intend to merge into. The driver behind you would now have the same set of options that you just had, but hopefully your signal will invite his understanding so reduce his likelihood of becoming angry with you for causing them problem.

Queue Jumpers

Instead of taking the opportunity to merge with the rest of the traffic, there are often people that race to the end of the lane that is closing and barge their way into the flow.

When you are in the lane that continues after the lanes merge, and you are approaching the point where the lanes start to close up, check your mirrors to see if there is a vehicle that has chosen to merge late. If there is, and it looks as if the driver has selected the space in front of you to merge into, simply increase the gap between yourself and the car in front and let them in. It may be frustrating for you to do this, but relax and try and cope with the situation rather than aggravating it. It’s far better to let them in rather than have an accident. It could very well that they were in the situation of having to cope with someone tailgating as described above.

Peter Cadogan

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