Michigan State Police urging Metro Detroiters to forget what they learned back in the 80s and use the 'zipper merge'

(WWJ) Michigan State Police are reminding drivers in Metro Detroit that the zipper merge is the correct way to merge in a construction zone — and how and why the zipper merge works.

The zipper merge is basically this: When approaching a construction zone in which a lane is ending, drivers should use both lanes, with drivers taking turns alternating into the open lane.

In a video posted to X on Monday, First Lt. Mike Shaw of the MSP Second District, which covers Metro Detroit, said many drivers are still under the false impression that getting over early is the right thing to do.

"If you went to Drivers Ed back in the 70s or 80s, that's kinda the way that you were taught — is to get over as soon as you possibly can to make sure that you're in one lane is you go into the construction zone, and leaving the second lane pretty much empty," Shaw said. "So, you're kind of causing traffic to back up in that one lane."

Shaw said instead, when drivers take turns merging, using both lanes of traffic, this reduces traffic backups and allows cars to "flow into the construction zone without any issue."

Shaw acknowledged that some people are upset by zipper mergers, seeing people who wait until the lane is about to end to merge as cutting in line. However, Shaw said the zipper merge is in fact much more efficient for everyone.

"What it is is you're using all the available concrete that's out there," Shaw explained. "So, if you have a thousand cars going into the construction zone, instead of having a thousand cars in one lane, now you have 500 cars in both lanes, and they're using that all the way up to that point."

Shaw said the zipper merge has proved to be safer for both the drivers on the road, and the construction workers on site.

But what if you get up to the end of the lane, try to get in, and other drivers get mad? Shaw said police do realize that this can be a problem.

"Now, we also know that everybody's gonna say, 'Well, people don't let me in,' or, 'I don't like to allow that to happen,' or 'It's a NASCAR race and I've gotta be first' — all ridiculous," he said.

Shaw said MSP over the last few years has been working to educate Michigan drivers about the zipper merge, and will continue to do so, in hopes that people will come to understand how it works and will voluntarily comply.

Simply put: "Remember, if you are stuck in traffic and the lane next to you is empty, you are doing it wrong!" Shaw said.