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The zipper method or late merge is usually the method that governments and law enforcement encourage when merging lanes. If the lane you’re on merges with the lane on your left, you are expected to continue to drive up to the point where the merge occurs, and only change lanes at the last moment. This conduct is what is taught at driving schools in Colorado Springs and other major cities.  This approach allows for a much more streamlined flow of traffic, as long as everyone follows it.

But why is this method better than the early merge? After all, isn’t it better to change lanes as early as possible to avoid getting stuck up ahead? While this method might seem like the more sensible one when you only consider yourself, drivers also have to keep in mind that there are other drivers on the road as well. While the early merge works in areas of light traffic, where a simple lane change can easily solve the problem, heavy traffic can cause a lot of irritation and bad feelings when this method is used.

Just imagine you’ve merged with the other lane early, and then another car rushes on your right and then attempts to cut in front of the driver who is ahead of you. If you can’t see that the driver on the right has no other choice, you might assume that they are just trying to skip ahead at your expense. On the other hand, with the zipper method, everyone gets to where they’re going much faster and without any bad vibes involved.