Let's See Of This Forum Is As Friendly As It Says!!

many truckers don't know how to use or don't want to use the zipper method to merge in construction areas.

I am one of them. This method is a very bad idea, calling for accidents and as a result, much longer delays. A merge is never a surprise - DOT places signs informing drivers well in advance, so everybody has a chance to prepare and change lanes. Leaving this change for the last second is both a naive and a dangerous decision.

Well, I wasn't planning to reply anymore but I think that I have to since I started this thing. A few years back I was on the NE extension of the PA turnpike. There was construction and a zipper merge. The State Police were in the left lane directing traffic to use both lanes and another one was at the merge point directing people to merge. It worked perfectly. I know that there won't be state police present at most merge points, but maybe there should be. The zipper merge does work if people use it properly. Maybe more education is needed, I don't know. But if some people use it and others are totally against it, it will not. That is all I got....

John,

You won't quit. With all the replies and conversation on this subject you keep trying to find ways to drag it out.

With the police there to control the zipper merge of course it worked as planned. Do you think someone would blatantly ignore the police?

Look, you have said on many of your posts that you were finished so why not just face the facts. You do not seem to want to accept the results that you have received here from some of the best of the best. Let it go.

Just last week, I was sitting in a miles long back due to a truck accident. About 5 miles before the actual accident scene, they had signs up letting everyone know that the left lane was closed ahead due to an emergency scene. I was already in the right lane when I started seeing these signs so I just stayed there. Surprisingly most everyone else on the road did the same thing until they ultimately detoured us off the highway (US 220 in VA) and through town. When I got to the exit where we had to get off, there were a few people in cars who had run up that lane that was coming to the end and were trying to merge in at the last minute. This caused those of us who were steadily moving along in the right lane to have to stop to allow these morons in.

I can’t tell you how many times a day I have people cut me off because they’re in such a big hurry and feel that they need to get around me at the last minute to make an exit or an on ramp to save a few seconds. I haul fuel so I have to be extra careful around these morons because they have absolutely no respect for the giant bomb that they’re cutting off. I keep saying that they need to add a day in a truck as part of the drivers education school curriculum to give people an idea of just how big and heavy these things are.

My advice is to give the truck the room they need to safely operate because it’s not only our lives in our hands out there, it’s yours too. If you cut us off and act like a tool, there’s a higher chance of an accident. We have cameras too ya know. I watch my mirrors like a hawk to keep an eye out for the terrible drivers and can almost always predict their next move by the way they’re driving. Don’t run up those lanes that are ending to cut us off at the last minute. Leave a little earlier and don’t be in such a hurry. When you see those signs that say the lane is ending, go ahead and move to the through lane, be prepared and plan/look ahead.

Another thing, I know the whole touch a truck thing is in just about every town these days… go check one out and find a driver with a tractor there and get yourself behind the wheel. Maybe then you’ll have a better understanding of what we do and what we have to work with on a daily basis. Keep in mind, without trucks, you wouldn’t have jack 💩.

Last year, I was sitting at a stop light and just happened to look in my passenger side mirror as I was in the left lane and saw someone flick a cigarette at my load heads while I had 8,000 gallons of ethanol on my trailer. Don’t be that guy and do stupid 💩 around trucks.

"I am one of them. This method is a very bad idea, calling for accidents and as a result, much longer delays. A merge is never a surprise - DOT places signs informing drivers well in advance, so everybody has a chance to prepare and change lanes. Leaving this change for the last second is both a naive and a dangerous decision". (Andrey).

Well, I suppose you don't have to agree with it as long as you don't block others from using it. That's all I have to say. (John Y)

To others: If you don't want a response from me then just don't reply......

To others: If you don't want a response from me then just don't reply......

John, you and I have something in common. We are both hooked on this site! Don’t fret, it’s big enough for both of us.

I usually just get in the right lane, so at times a line of cars will come up to the merge point and when they do, I will let 3 or 4 merge and then I move up and expect for the same process to take place behind me. So if you come up to the front of the line in the left lane, just stop, turn on your right signal light, and wait for someone kind to stop and let you take your turn. Someone without manners may not let you in, but the next guy will. I find there are many more considerate drivers than belligerent drivers in the merging situations I frequently encounter.

This discussion seems to have blown the reality of the typical situation all out of proportion. But it’s been slow here on the site lately, so thanks for giving us something to do, lol.

Thanks BK. I like the picture of your dog. I have one I got from the shelter. She is truly man's best friend. Good advice from you. It is a crazy world right now. I hope that it gets better soon!