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Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: I read your last article about road construction and work zones. Can you talk about the zipper merge? It seems like a lot of people don’t know what it is or can’t figure it out. Thank you.

Answer: The “Late Merge — Zipper Merge” is a driving strategy that requires drivers to change their mindset about merging. Traditionally, drivers have been taught to merge early when a lane is ending. Early merging leads to longer backups, more crashes and road rage incidents.

Zipper merge procedure

• When you see the “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your current lane until the point of merge.

• Take turns with other drivers to safely and smoothly merge into the remaining lane.

• When traffic is heavy and slow, it is safer to remain in your current lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging orderly.

Benefits of the zipper merge

• Reduces the difference in speeds between two lanes, making lane changes easier and safer.

• Reduces the overall length of traffic backups by up to 40 percent.

• Reduces congestion at freeway interchanges, especially in metropolitan areas.

• Creates a sense of fairness when all lanes are moving at the same speed.

• Reduces incidents of road rage.

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.