Saskatoon StarPhoenix

ZIPPER MERGING

SGI backs driving technique

- JENNIFER ACKERMAN jackerman@postmedia.com

It’s time to embrace the zipper merge.

Some people think it’s rude. And it would be if you were in line for popcorn at the movies and someone cut in front of you, claiming it would help the line move faster.

But when it comes to traffic, studies show the zipper merge — most often used in constructi­on zones — is an efficient way to help traffic flow more quickly.

“It allows both lanes of traffic to be used fully until the point where the merge actually happens, and it allows traffic to proceed in an efficient and orderly manner when used properly,” Saskatchew­an Government Insurance (SGI) spokesman Tyler McMurchy said.

Updated and reprinted every fall, the Saskatchew­an Driver’s Handbook now includes a section on how to zipper merge and why it’s useful.

Aware that it may be an unfamiliar manoeuvre for many, SGI hopes to educate Saskatchew­an residents to prevent anxiety, congestion and resentment on the road.

“Generally, it’s when two lanes become one. If you are in either of those lanes, continue until the merge point,” McMurchy said.

“If you’re in the lane that’s ending, then you signal your intentions and ideally ... a driver in the continuing lane lets one driver from the ending lane in, and they proceed in a zipper-like fashion, taking turns.”

When people merge into the continuing lane too early — for fear of not being let in farther up — traffic gets backed up into one long, snail-paced line.

McMurchy noted that earlier this year, the Canadian Automobile Associatio­n released results of an extensive study on the issue of bottleneck­ing, citing zipper merging as the most efficient way to relieve traffic congestion in constructi­on zones.

“Not everybody is on board with it yet, but we’re asking people to embrace the zipper merge,” McMurchy said.

“And of course, a courtesy wave goes a long way.”

On top of zipper merging, the handbook contains a handful of other new additions.

New drivers may now have as many in-laws in the vehicle as there are seat belts, previously having been restricted to immediate family members and one passenger who is not an immediate family member.

Tow trucks may now use blue and amber flashing lights, instead of just amber lights.

A new section clarifies who has the right of way in parking lots.

Recommende­d hand positions have changed from the traditiona­l 10 and two clock positions to nine and three or eight and four.

The book also reminds drivers not to encourage jaywalkers.

“Obviously, if somebody is walking across in front of you, be prepared to stop, but don’t stop and wave a jaywalker across the street if it’s not at an intersecti­on because that creates a hazard,” McMurchy said.

“Other drivers might not be aware that jaywalker is there.”

New impaired driving and cellphone laws that came into effect on Jan. 1 have also been incorporat­ed into the new handbook.

Not everybody is on board with it yet, but we’re asking people to embrace the zipper merge. And of course, a courtesy wave goes a long way.

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 ?? MICHAEL BELL ?? Saskatchew­an Government Insurance put out a new driver’s handbook with several updates, including a section on how to use a zipper merge to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible when one lane is blocked by a collision, constructi­on or other...
MICHAEL BELL Saskatchew­an Government Insurance put out a new driver’s handbook with several updates, including a section on how to use a zipper merge to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible when one lane is blocked by a collision, constructi­on or other...

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