What are the benefits of the zipper merge?

In Maryland, drivers are often encouraged to use the zipper merge. When they need to merge from one lane to the other, they should do it at the front of the line. Essentially, both lines of traffic continue as normal to the merge point. There, traffic stops and drivers take turns going one after the other. 

The other way to merge, which some people mistakenly still use, is merging at the back of the line. In fact, road rage sometimes occurs when a driver is passing a line of stopped cars to go do the zipper merge up near the front. The trouble is that people do not know that the zipper merge is legal and often far better for all involved. 

Why the zipper merge is better 

For one thing, the zipper merge is more efficient. It uses the entire roadway, shortening the length of the traffic backup. There are still just as many cars, but using the space properly means that it’s less likely that the backup will block and cause unneeded traffic congestion. 

The zipper merge also helps because it controls exactly when people switch lanes so that other drivers know what to expect. When people start merging at the back of the line, they’re often doing it in a hurry, as they suddenly come upon the traffic congestion at 70 miles an hour. These hurried, sudden lane changes are much more likely to lead to accidents than slow and controlled lane changes at the front of the line. 

Have you been injured in an accident?

Problems merging can lead to severe accidents. Those who have been injured must know how to seek compensation for medical bills and more.