Could Last-Minute Lane Changers Be Right? (Video)

Anyone who has ever suffered from road rage after being cut off by a rude, last-minute lane changer might want to read this (video below).

Last-minute mergers may even be more annoying than line cutters, since it involves heavy machinery which could end in fatality.

However, according to the Kansas Department Of Transportation, these narcissistic drivers might actually be right.

As noted on its official website, “The Kansas Department of Transportation is introducing the ‘zipper merge’ for the first time in Kansas on the U.S. 69 and 119th Street Interchange Bridge Repair Project in Overland Park (Johnson County).”  

The Kansas Department Of Transportation​ says if every driver embraced the approach, roads may be more efficient:

In advance of the U.S. 69 project work zone, the zipper merge signage will be activated, when traffic queues are heaviest, generally during morning and evening rush hours. During slower times of the day or night, drivers will continue to utilize the early merge method following the work zone signage.

Drivers need to be observant. This is a dynamic system, which means that the message boards will tell drivers when to utilize the zipper merge through the work zone. The message boards will turn on when congestion is detected and traffic is slow, and will turn off when congestion lessens, but drivers still need to be cautious and use good [judgment] through this and every work zone.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation, along with many other states including the Missouri Department of Transportation, utilize the zipper merge for traffic control through construction work zones.

Kansas’ transportation agency advises all drivers to use the “zipper” method of moving up as far as possible, and then merging evenly into the other lane.

the Kansas Department Of Transportation says if done property, traffic in either lane wouldn’t have to stop.

According to Wimp.com, research suggests that if every driver used the zipper method, traffic flow would be 35 percent faster.

Sources: Wimp.com, Kansas Department of Transportation / Photo credit: Cars.com via Wimp.com