Merging lanes on a busy road can be stressful for drivers, but mastering the zipper merge can make it smoother and safer for everyone. The technique is simple yet not very intuitive. Learning it can help reduce traffic congestion and minimize the risk of accidents. Here’s how to correctly zipper merge.

Picture a zipper on a jacket. Each tooth smoothly interlocks with the next, creating a seamless closure. The same concept applies to merging lanes. Instead of merging early when you see a lane closure ahead, continue driving in your lane until you reach the merge point. At this point, drivers in both lanes take turns moving into the open lane, just like the teeth of a zipper coming together.

This method might feel counterintuitive, especially if you’re used to merging as soon as you see the first warning sign. However, studies have shown that using the zipper merge reduces traffic backups by up to 40% and helps keep traffic flowing at a steady pace. When everyone waits their turn and merges at the designated point, it eliminates the frustrating stop-and-go pattern that often happens when drivers merge too early.

To execute a perfect zipper merge, stay in your lane until the merge point. As you approach, use your turn signal to indicate your intention to merge. If you’re in the lane that’s continuing, be courteous and let one car merge in front of you.

There’s an easy-to-follow instructional vid embedded below.

Next time you encounter a lane closure, resist the urge to merge early. As a driver, embrace the zipper merge. If you’re a passenger, it might help to explain the technique.

Source: Ohio Department of Transportation