re: Zipper Merging will be the downfall of civilization

Zipper mergers might have an argument in regular merge zones, like where a three lane interstate turns into two. Traffic keeps moving and everybody is reasonably happy.

What grinds my gears is construction zones where one lane ends and the other is moving slow. People zoom right up to the barricade then expect to jam themselves in when it's already bumper to bumper. frick that categorically.

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is the entire point of topic of discussion.

this driver has no right of way into the other lane in front of an already established car.

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i belive you missed this part...
"through-traffic driver actively blocked"

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What grinds my gears is construction zones where one lane ends and the other is moving slow. People zoom right up to the barricade then expect to jam themselves in when it's already bumper to bumper. frick that categorically.

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Did anyone force you to fall into a single lane two miles before it merges into one?

I had some experience with this exact situation a couple of years ago. The zipper easily holds up in insurance practices and in court. Not even close. But some people want to tilt at windmills.

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Ignorant IQ Drivers assume its a free path to pass up the line of cars sitting there for 5 minutes waiting and have AUTOMATIC right of way in front of whomever they deem necessary when it is their lane coming to an end

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You seem to not understand that the whole road can be efficiently used so that the wait is shorter for everyone. Pick either lane because they are now equal.

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Your lane came to an end thus the responsibility of merging AT YOUR RISK is on YOU.

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Many people (including me) had this mental image of some proprietary right to the primary lane and that anyone trying to enter from the secondary was line cutting, but this is no longer true. The state has given clear guidance - including a video showing the proper proper use of the zipper. USDOT also endorses this practice so this primary lane model is no longer supported. Both lanes are now equal except that the former primary lane starts the zipper - nothing more.

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Zipper merging is a suggestion, not a law or a right of way IMO. IT IS A SUGGESTION YOU DUMB frick.

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It is far more than a suggestion - it is now the state recommended safest method, so when you violate it, your action is deemed unsafe by your insurance company and in civil court. You will surely lose.

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Any ideas of how police would rule this if someone hits me in the side from getting over into my lane?

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Yes. I have discussed this with many of them that I meet and the answer is pretty consistent. They routinely write the person who fails to zipper as Driver #1 - at fault.

Good luck winning after that designation on the accident report combined with the Louisiana DMV literature and on-line video officially designating the zipper as the safest method and most parishes adopting this practice in on-line resources, signage and written enforcement practice.

But give it a try by ramming someone who is zippering and report how it all goes for you. Your insurance company will settle with the other guy while jacking your rates and when you try to sue the other guy. You will lose.

I know, change is hard - adapt.

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well just keep being an a-hole. that makes everything better. especially a dumb a-hole, or a dumbass.

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you're confused about who the a-hole is.

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Zipper merging is a suggestion, not a law or a right of way

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Actually it's all 3. If I'm in a hurry, I go to the front and get in. If not, I get in line. Luckily though, since I've moved out a bit, I'm never in a hurry anymore.

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I am not, b/c i'm not a dumbass and understand how two lanes should merge into 1.

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completely missing the forest from the trees. would love to say i'm surprised but don't want to lie to you.

Where I get on the interstate, there is a 1 mile lane for the on ramping traffic.

I use all 1 mile. Even when the interstate lanes are backed up.

When people stop right at the on ramp and try to merge into traffic, I guess in effort to not skip people on the interstate, it backs the on ramp traffic back into the artery road and causes mayhem. It's infuriating.

We have all this space, use it.

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completely missing the forest from the trees

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says the dumbass who thinks every single car should form a line 100 miles ahead of the merging point and never let anyone in b/c everyone else on the road is an a-hole.