New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsMedium
You are driving on a multi-lane highway, and you see a sign indicating 'LANE ENDS MERGE LEFT'. What is the most appropriate action to take when you encounter this sign?
- ASpeed up to get ahead of traffic in the left lane before merging.
- BSlow down significantly and wait for a large gap in the left lane before merging.
- CImmediately merge into the left lane as soon as you see the sign.
- DContinue driving in the ending lane until the point of merge, then merge like a zipper.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Continue driving in the ending lane until the point of merge, then merge like a zipper.
When a lane ends, the most efficient and safest method is to use the full length of the ending lane and merge at the point where the lanes converge, using the 'zipper merge' technique. This helps maintain traffic flow and reduces backups.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Speeding up aggressively to merge is unsafe and can lead to collisions.
- B. Slowing down significantly can disrupt traffic flow and create a hazard for following vehicles.
- C. Merging immediately can cause unnecessary congestion in the through lane and underutilize the ending lane.
Zipper Merge
A merging technique where drivers use both lanes of traffic until the merge point, then take turns merging into the single lane, like the teeth of a zipper.
- Improves traffic flow in congested areas.
- Reduces overall traffic backup by utilizing all available lane space.
- Requires cooperation and alternating merges at the merge point.
Memory trick: Think zipper: use both sides, then take turns neatly.