Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) wants drivers to begin embracing the zipper merge in the province.
SGI will now be adding a new section in the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook explaining the benefits and how to do the zipper merge.
A zipper merge allows drivers to use both lanes until the closing lane ends, then alternate in a ‘zipper’ fashion into the open lane. Vehicles in the closing lane must signal, shoulder check and merge when safe, each driver in the open lane should let in one vehicle.
“Saskatchewan, it is time to officially embrace the zipper merge,” said Earl Cameron, Executive Vice President of the Auto Fund.
“Some people think zipper-merging is rude, but it’s not. When a lane is closing, slowing down to change lanes well ahead of the merge point slows traffic unnecessarily, and can cause congestion.”
Zipper merging benefits all drivers in both lanes, making traffic flow more quickly and efficiently. It is also supposed to create fairness and eliminate the stress of the ‘other’ lane moving faster than yours, as everyone can now travel at the same speed.
Below is also some new information that will be included in this year’s driver handbook:
- Tougher impaired driving and cellphone laws that came into effect Jan. 1, 2017
- Best practice is for hand positions at “9 and 3” or “8 and 4” on the steering wheel, not “10 and 2”
- Tow trucks can have blue and amber flashing lights; slow to 60 when lights are flashing
- Addition of “in-laws” to family members who can ride with new drivers
- Jaywalkers – you should always be prepared to stop if a jaywalker enters your path. But don’t wave them on or encourage them as the car behind or beside you may not see them.
- Right of way in parking lots – rules of the road to follow when it comes to thoroughfares and feeder lanes