robmypro

Yeah late merge definitely upsets some people. Life is too short for BS like road rage.

Dr.Bill

This is absolutely the best and fastest way and makes the most sense.
The problem is, most people are too stupid to realize this and won't let others merge. THEY are the problem children, not those who follow the correct procedure. Of course, if we got all the stupid people off the roads, traffic wouldn't be an issue anywhere!

sampelligrino

I would buy a lottery ticket if I ever saw this happen in California, where there is apparently a "no prisoners, no mercy" when driving I am learning

I am happy that the city and county of Honolulu does this for traffic, but it has never been in place for accidents in my experience

robmypro

Definitely buy a lottery ticket if this ever happened in California! lol

robmypro

There's theory...and then there's reality. Just like the Autobahn. Great concept in theory. But it wouldn't work in just about any country except Germany. In the case of the late merge, it only makes sense if you ignore all other factors and only focus on theoretical speed improvements. You must ignore the benefit of emergency responders getting to the scene faster. And you must ignore the road rage element. When you factor in all of these things, I think the way Colorado drivers react to these things is the better approach. It might take a little longer for you to get where you are going, but it is far more considerate of the people who are involved in the accident. And that is far more important than getting somewhere a little quicker imo.

I just think the fact that this can even be pulled off by this many drivers is in itself sort of amazing.

abiazis

If you drive a van or SUV, you can merge in late without too many issues, especially if you thank the person who you cut in on, but with a 911 or anything else seen as a more expensive or a sporty car, you will get some evil stares and people aggressively blocking you - especially F-150s for example.........in Atlanta......we seem to merge in one after the other alternating cars in tight quarters on non-highways and on highways everyone generally moves to the left.........after living in NYC, DC area, Chicago and LA........I could not believe it, but wrote it off to Southern Hospitality...........truthfully.........for me depending on my schedule, I will stay left and not Zipper merge on highways, especially in my Porsches..........on surface roads anything generally goes for me based on other driver's antics, but I use the unwritten "alternating car merge rule" in those non-highway situations.........

robmypro

I think you are right about Southern Hospitality, and it exists even in places like Colorado. It is just an attitude. When we lived in Southern California it was normal to be checking out at the grocery store, and the cashier would not even say a word. In Colorado you can barely get out of the store because the cashier or the bagger wants to chat about anything and everything. I remember thinking what is wrong with these people when we first moved here. lol

When driving my GT3 I mostly see people backing off to let me in, as opposed to trying to block me. Not everyone, but that seems to be the norm. I would totally feel like a douche if I tried to cut the line in my GT3. When driving on roads where passing is hard more often than not people pull over to let me pass. Not always (Prius drivers!), but more than not, as long as I do not tailgate them.

BK77

Colorado drivers, "sweet traffic jam, give me another gummy it may be a while"
ROW, "go go go, there's a open lane"

manitou202

The traffic in Colorado looks like that even when the right lane isn't blocked. I've never seen so many slow left lane drivers before. Especially between Colorado Springs and Denver.

Otherwise Colorado drivers are pretty good and respectful.

robmypro

I swear those signs that say "Keep Right Except to Pass" are in Greek.

fskof

mcsmcs1

They weren't being orderly and polite by moving to the left lane- they were already there hanging out in the left lane before the accident.

fbroen

Using all lanes until you have to merge is encouraged by the traffic authorities because it _reduces_ road rage, in addition to being more efficient and safer for all.

In the case above, the faux politeness forced the first responders to drive through a backup twice as long to get to the scene, when an unobstructed shoulders exists. (Yes, the lane was open, but they cannot come blasting down it assuming no one might veer out and presumably therefore had to travel slower for twice the distance).

If the above behavior happens in a denser traffic area, there is a good chance the backup needlessly extends across interchanges, possibly holding up other roads that may otherwise had been clear sailing for first responders to that scene, or another scene.

The CO DOT also encourages using all available lanes and zipper merging.

More from the MN DOT:

Zipper merge vs. early merge

When most drivers see the first “lane closed ahead” sign in a work zone, they slow too quickly and move to the lane that will continue through the construction area. This driving behavior can lead to unexpected and dangerous lane switching, serious crashes and road rage.

Zipper merging, however, benefits individual drivers as well as the public at large. Research shows that these dangers decrease when motorists use both lanes until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane.

I live in the Northeast Quadrant, so the early merge is not an issue here.

Needsdecaf

Waxer