59°F
weather icon Windy

Think zippers when it comes to merging

We seem to be getting a plethora of phone calls with adrenaline-soaked drivers having just survived, or anticipating the upcoming, merge zones in the Interstate 11 roadwork area. No matter where you drive in the summer months, you will all experience roadwork somewhere.

I have spoken before and will continue to preach on the zipper merge. In light traffic, a simple lane change will keep traffic running smoothly. In moderate to heavy traffic, the plan needs to change. Whether it’s out of perceived politeness or ignorance, many motorists begin getting over into a single lane as soon as they see a sign instructing them to do so. This practice wastes a good lane and causes unnecessary delays, stringing vehicles out for far longer than need be.

Traffic experts suggest using both lanes right up until one of the two lanes actually closes. At that point, an alternating “you go, I go” method (think zipper) will get everyone more expediently past the obstruction.

Of course, the zipper merge depends on a key ingredient: reciprocating grace and cooperation. Too often, a driver behind the wheel of a car in the lane that chose to merge, like, 2 miles ago, sees Johnny-come-lately in the other lane as some kind of road rogue looking to pull a fast one. The response is usually a lack of cooperation.

So, to review, as you approach a two-lane-merging-into-one-lane scenario, pick the shorter lane (ideally they would be about equal in length) and remain in your lane until the point of merge, then alternate.

I am including the link to an instructional video that I highly recommend to explain the concept; it explains in picture-perfect detail the benefits of the practice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX0I8OdK7Tk

Let’s use both lanes. Let’s all get along. Let’s keep all of our fingers (especially the longest one) inside the vehicle at all times. Good luck out there.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
City gets finance award

Boulder City received the prestigious Enterprise Risk Management Excellence Program Award (ERMEP) during the Oct. 22 city council meeting.

Question: Golf courses$8.4 million in the hole?

Near the beginning of last week’s city council meeting, frequent-flyer public commentor Fred Voltz (whose views on the proposed addition of up to $9 million to the $25 million or so already earmarked to replace the city’s pool you can read on Page 4) made a pretty surprising allegation about the finances of the city’s two golf courses.

Ram Cam celebrates first year

It may sound a bit odd to pay tribute to the one-year anniversary of a camera. But when that camera has helped bring thousands to town, and with it as many smiles, it’s worth it.

BC feted for historic preservation projects

Two projects aimed at maintaining the historic character of Boulder City have resulted in the city being the recipient of an award named for the person who designed the city in the first place, Saco Reink DeBoer.

Boulder Dam Hotel one stop on Home Tour

For nearly a half century the Boulder City chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW) has played host to a Home Tour, which raises money for scholarships for local college students.

Asst. chief discusses hurricane devastation

As the assistant fire chief for the Boulder City Fire department, Josh Barrone has seen his fair share of tragedies and destruction during his career.

City agrees to purchase vehicle barriers

It’s been talked about that thing called a “consent agenda” before. It’s the part of a city council meeting when multiple issues are addressed with a single up or down vote with no discussion of the individual items on the list.

Author’s journey from Boulder City to Ukraine

Twenty years ago, Bill McCormick made a decision and since then has never looked back as he’s turned what is a hobby for some into a full-time profession.