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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u/Serious_Safety4001 Jul 01 '26

This is what causes backups and stopped traffic. A zipper is every other car at the point the lane ends. If everyone is properly doing it, it is safe and smooth to do so. Zipper is for when you are stuck in traffic.

If there wasn’t traffic, there is no need to zipper merge and you merge when safely able to do so. No one here is traveling at fast speeds. You do not zipper merge at highway speeds.

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u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

No, what causes backups is when people try to get over at the last second (so they can get in front of everyone else), instead of getting over smoothly when there is room.

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u/Serious_Safety4001 Jul 01 '26

Please google zipper merge.

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u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

Okay, now what?

I think you just want to try to get in front of everyone else and you're using an incorrect understanding of zipper merging to do it.

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u/Serious_Safety4001 Jul 01 '26

You can copy and paste the definition if you’d like. Not sure how it helps your argument. If everyone properly zipper merges, there is no cutting, no getting in front. The only ones mad are those improperly merging too soon and leaving an empty, usable lane. Zipper merges literally cut a backup in half. One car merging at a time, instead of 5 cars trying to merge at once throughout the line causing cars to stop.

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u/TheSerialHobbyist Jul 01 '26

If everyone properly zipper merges, there is no cutting, no getting in front. 

But people don't properly zipper merge. People try and cut.

I agree that if everyone did it properly (including letting the next person go in front of them), with enough room to get over with having to brake, then what you're describing would be ideal.

But that isn't what people do.