Police have explained the merging rules (Image: Teamjackson via Getty Images)
Police have shed light on the correct procedure for merging lanes in a situation commonly encountered on British roads where two lanes converge into one. Virtually every motorist on UK roads will have had to deal with this situation.
They will undoubtedly have witnessed a lengthy queue of single-file traffic in the left-hand lane while the right-hand lane sits empty. Many will also have felt infuriated by drivers in the right-hand lane speeding past the queuing traffic until the point of merger. Numerous motorists consider this “jumping the queue” and one driver was even caught on camera apparently becoming so enraged by this precise situation that he collided with the vehicle ahead.
This is the correct way to merge (Image: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
However, just because you’re angry, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the right.
The most frequent circumstances in which lane merging becomes necessary are either where a permanent lane reduction exists or during roadworks (on a motorway, for instance) resulting in the closure of one of the lanes. It is evident that drivers remain uncertain about the correct approach in this scenario.
One Cardiff motorist commented: “I’m not sure anyone knows for certain what the rule is. But judging from how frequently you get drivers in the left hand lane doing their best to stop you merging in from the right, I’d imagine most people think those wily right hand lane drivers are just trying to stitch them up and jump the queue.”
But what is the proper way to merge lanes in this scenario?
Helpfully, both the police and the Highway Code have shed light on the matter, so you’ll know precisely what to do, and what to avoid, the next time you find yourself needing to merge lanes.
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Merging can be tricky (Image: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
How to correctly merge lanes on UK roads
The proper technique for merging when two lanes converge into one at a specific point is known as “zip-merging”. Rather than pulling into a single lane the moment a lane closure is signposted, drivers should take turns merging one at a time at the actual point of closure.
The method is dubbed zip-merging owing to its resemblance to the teeth of a zip fastener coming together, and it is widely regarded as significantly cutting down on traffic build-up.
The police, Highway Code, RAC and National Highways are unanimous on this approach. Avon and Somerset Police stated that the technique “helps make full use of the available road space” and noted: “Problems tend to arise when drivers are unwilling to allow others to safely merge, or when motorists change lanes aggressively, without adequate observation, signalling or consideration for other road users.”
National Highways offered comparable guidance, commenting: “By keeping both lanes in use until the merge point, congestion is minimised and journey reliability is improved.”
Highway Code rule 134 covers lane-merging by stating: “You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident.”
‘Merging early creates one long, slow line’
The RAC agreed. It states: “When motorists encounter a lane closure on a motorway or dual carriageway, the majority of drivers follow the etiquette of moving over early, but this creates one long, slow line of traffic and a near-empty outside lane.
Here we see the point two lanes merge into one on a busy city road — this one is in Cardiff and is a regular congestion point (Image: Google)
“While motorists on the inside lane might think they’re doing the right thing, it can be more beneficial to continue using the open lane until the last minute, utilising all of the available road and then ‘merging in turn’ at the point at which the road narrows to a single lane.
“However, many drivers find it annoying to watch fellow motorists using the outside lane as they sit stationary on the inside. But if we remove good old-fashioned British queuing etiquette from the equation taking all emotion out of the scenario, the plain and simple fact is that two lanes of slow moving traffic are better than one. So if cars use all of the space available to them on both lanes, it should result in the line of congestion disappearing, or at the very least reducing.”
Fine for incorrectly merging lanes
While you won’t face a penalty for joining the left-hand queue prematurely (and certainly not for utilising the vacant lane right up to the merge point), there are situations where improper use of merger lanes could lead to a driving conviction, fine and penalty points on your licence.
A diagram showing how to correctly merge lanes (Image: Gemini/Steffan Rhys)
If, for instance, you attempt to block someone using the less congested lane to overtake queuing traffic, you could face prosecution for careless driving, or more serious charges. The fixed penalty for careless driving now stands at £100 with 3 points on the driver’s licence.
National Highways stated: “Dangerous, careless or inconsiderate driving can occur if a driver forces their way into traffic, deliberately obstructs other vehicles, or carries out manoeuvres which create a risk of collision.”
Should you encounter obstruction from someone who doesn’t grasp the proper method for using lane mergers, avoid responding with anger. If you possess a dashcam, you can submit the footage to Operation Snap, a UK police initiative that allows members of the public to upload video evidence of suspected driving offences.
