The Ohio Department of Transportation says zipper merging works.driver is annoyed

(WKBN) – If you've ever driven through construction where one lane ends and drivers have to merge, you'll notice that many drivers don't merge right away and instead drive up the lane that is being closed. You know that you feel uncomfortable with. But according to the Ohio Department of Transportation, that may be the right thing to do.

The spring construction season has begun and ODOT wants drivers to know what to do when lanes merge. ODOT says zipper binding at these points will benefit all drivers.

The agency says the zipper merge will ease traffic congestion, reducing backup times by 40%, delaying traffic by 14 minutes and cutting lines by more than a third of a mile.

ODOT says there is no need to merge in advance, as many drivers think.

“You don't have to merge a mile before a lane ends. But don't just take our word for it. The Federal Highway Administration says: “Drivers should move into the appropriate lane as soon as possible. “Potentially dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, excessive braking, and unsafe lane changes can lead to accidents,” authorities said in response to questions about zipper merging. is written. in a social media post.

ODOT said the best way to get everyone on board with the zipper system is education, and starting in 2021 it is using signage to tell drivers what to do.

https://www.wtrf.com/ohio/ohio-department-of-transportation-says-zipper-merge-works-drivers-annoyed/ The Ohio Department of Transportation says zipper merging works.driver is annoyed