Merge - Nope and GOT Pulled Over

[digthemup]

In Virginia the law changed on July 1st, you can now get a ticket for what you described.

"Starting July 1, Virginia’s Move Over Law will require drivers to move over or slow down for stopped vehicles that have their hazards lights on, display road flares or other warning signs. Currently, drivers only have to move over for emergency vehicles."

Same law just passed in NY. I always moved over if possible just to be kind to the person having issues, and may pull over if I saw that they could use help.

[DrewFlu33]

All the states I drive in have "zipper merging" it works fine when done as designed. It's when some CSSOB decides to pass the whole field and go straight to the front and bully there way in.
I guess your fine with the after Christmas return line. You know the one where there's a single line waiting on next available cashier. When big boy decides to cut.

There shouldn't be any way to zoom to the front of the line when zipper merging unless someone is driving on the shoulder or something? In which case, yeah, that person is the worst.

[PJ-Rohlf]

There shouldn't be any way to zoom to the front of the line when zipper merging unless someone is driving on the shoulder or something? In which case, yeah, that person is the worst.

That is my point exactly...not zipper merge if a lane is open.

I'll give the example of when I was going into the twin cities a few weeks ago on 94. 3 lanes wide through Hudson and the right two lanes are stopped back to exit 3, So I took the left lane to merge point like you should.

[fishnfireman]

There shouldn't be any way to zoom to the front of the line when zipper merging unless someone is driving on the shoulder or something? In which case, yeah, that person is the worst.

The lane closures around here usually give you a heads up.. Some as much as a mile before.
Starting out with (lane ends in 1 mile) then (lane ends in half mile) then (lane ends in 1000' MERGE NOW) However around here most good drivers have already merged even though there is still enough room for some jerk to get around 20 cars before the lane actually ends.

[fishnfireman]

That is my point exactly...not zipper merge if a lane is open.

I'll give the example of when I was going into the twin cities a few weeks ago on 94. 3 lanes wide through Hudson and the right two lanes are stopped back to exit 3, So I took the left lane to merge point like you should.

[PJ-Rohlf]

There, maybe now you will understand zipper merging.

[fishnfireman]

I understand enough to know you can't add an extra tooth to a zipper that's already closed.

[bass-o-maticjm]

The lane closures around here usually give you a heads up.. Some as much as a mile before.
Starting out with (lane ends in 1 mile) then (lane ends in half mile) then (lane ends in 1000' MERGE NOW) However around here most good drivers have already merged even though there is still enough room for some jerk to get around 20 cars before the lane actually ends.

Everyone should be using both lanes until the "lane ends in 1000' MERGE NOW" sign. That "jerk" that got by the 20 "good drivers" that merged a mile back is the one doing the zipper merge correctly. Education on the proper technique is needed. Around here, there are PSA commercials on TV, occasional PSA stories on the local news, and big bright orange signs in the construction zones stating USE BOTH LANES and a picture of the zipper merge.

However, around here it's only supposed to be used for construction closures. Regular daily traffic, now that's a different story.

[PJ-Rohlf]

I understand enough to know you can't add an extra tooth to a zipper that's already closed.

So your part of the group that doesn't let people in? Which then blocks 2 lanes of traffic?

I've seen way more accidents from people slamming on the brakes to try and merge a mile early than from people going to the merge point.

[fishnfireman]

So your part of the group that doesn't let people in? Which then blocks 2 lanes of traffic?

I've seen way more accidents from people slamming on the brakes to try and merge a mile early than from people going to the merge point.

And just how many wrecks have you been a first responder at---Point being I've made a few of those in my career.
It appears the zipper push is a location thing; however, I feel BP summed it up well in post #21.
If you will READ the OP---- the lady got out of the zipper with the intent to force her way back in at the front of the line before LEO intervened! IMO that's just rude behavior.

[DoctorJJ]

All the states I drive in have "zipper merging" it works fine when done as designed. It's when some CSSOB decides to pass the whole field and go straight to the front and bully there way in.
I guess you’re fine with the after Christmas return line. You know the one where there's a single line waiting on next available cashier. When big boy decides to cut.

Zipper merging IS going all the way to the front before merging.

[Classicxl]

People aren't intelligent enough to zipper merge properly.

[Mark Perry]

And just how many wrecks have you been a first responder at---Point being I've made a few of those in my career.
It appears the zipper push is a location thing; however, I feel BP summed it up well in post #21.
If you will READ the OP---- the lady got out of the zipper with the intent to force her way back in at the front of the line before LEO intervened! IMO that's just rude behavior.

I don't know what the call volume wreck wise you saw in Amarillo but the stations I work out of cover I-35 and 820. Both are two of the busiest highways in the state. Wrecks are a daily occurrence.busually multiple per day. Probably been on a few thousand wrecks in my career.
A lot were caused by people who thought they knew what they were doing. The other issue is that person might know what they are doing but the next guy doesn't.
If I had to make any suggestion at all is the simpler the process regarding merging the better the outcome in most cases.
They went all in on traffic circles here too. Built them everywhere. The problem is it seemsabout 75% of the population are clueless on how to use them. I wish I had a dollar for every wreck at one we go to....

[billnorman1]

Your not supposed to pass on the right. Maybe unsafe speed for the conditions.

Here it's legal to pass on any surface of the roadway. The shoulder is not a roadway surface, plus;

(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.

[rboren]

Maybe she was Hot and the officer was a BBC member?

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