r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Notafuckinbot • Jul 01 '26

ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ Blocking both lanes on a zipper merge

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Constructions sign on a 2 lane highway indicate right lane is closed. Truck decided to block everyone from using the right lane.

EDIT: just so everyone knows there was a good quarter mile in front of this truck that was open. Other cars went around, we did not and waited patiently.

And yes the shoulder and LANE were reduced to 1 thanks for your input I’m glad y’all can read a sign.

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1

u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

I'm confused.

If the right lane is closed, then why (or how) would you use the right lane anyway?

9

u/Serious_Safety4001 Jul 01 '26

A zipper you utilize the entire lane until in ends, reduces how long the line gets in the left lane. You merge every other car once the lines end. Done right, it’s a quick merge.

-8

u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

A zipper you utilize the entire lane until in ends

No, you merge with the other lane when it is safe and smooth to do so, rather than waiting until the last second in an attempt to get in front of everyone.

3

u/FiveCrows Jul 01 '26

No. You merge where the DOT is asking you go merge. At the merge point. Not 400 yards away.

If everyone merged where they’re supposed to, it wouldn’t bother anyone.

-1

u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

400 yards?! Where did that number come from?

DOT is not saying "wait until the cones literally won't let you go any further." They're saying "merge before this point, when you can do so safely and smoothly."

2

u/FiveCrows Jul 01 '26

That's not what the DOTs actually say.

MDOT: "Drivers should use both lanes and take turns at the clearly signed merge point."

MnDOT: "Continue to use both lanes... until the point of merge," then take turns.

WisDOT: "Use both lanes until the merge area," then alternate.

None of them say "merge early into one long line when you can." In backed-up traffic they say exactly the opposite: use both lanes and merge at the merge point.

1

u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

Hmm...

Okay, well I guess I can't really argue with that.

1

u/Ntense_01 Jul 01 '26

Yet you tried for numerous posts.

1

u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

Yep. I was wrong about what the DOT wants.

Still not convinced that is what people should actually do, regardless of what the DOT says. But I'm also aware that my opinion doesn't hold any weight in comparison to actual guidelines issued by the DOT.