Motorists can alleviate severe traffic congestion by adopting an often misunderstood driving technique – utilising all available lanes through zip merging.
Despite being commonly perceived as ‘cutting in’, this practice is not only permitted by the Highway Code, but also actively encouraged under specific circumstances.
Typically, zip merging is required when one of two lanes is closed due to road works, necessitating the funneling of all traffic into the remaining lane, which can make congestion worse.
To ease congestion, drivers can make use of the closed lane by using it right up until the point of closure, before merging into the adjacent lane. This technique is formally known as ‘merging in turn’, and is advocated only in particular situations.
Rule 134 of the Highway Code states: “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. It is not recommended at high speed.”
When not to merge in turn
As mentioned in the Highway Code, it is only recommended to merge in turn when traffic is travelling at a ‘very’ low speed. While a specific speed is not provided, this can typically refer to slow stop-and-start traffic in which vehicles are generally moving or a very small amount of time before stopping.
This manoeuvre is generally not advised when facing traffic on the motorway or dual carriageway, where driving speeds can reach up to 70mph. If a sign on one of these roads indicates that a lane ahead is closed, it is instead recommended to safely move into the available lane well in advance, as you otherwise might force another driver to brake harshly, increasing the chances of an accident occurring.
Is it possible to get in trouble for merging in turn?
Executing a safe and appropriate merge in turn is not illegal and can help alleviate congestion on roads where there is slow-moving traffic. However, it’s quite common for drivers to misinterpret a merge in turn as unfairly skipping traffic, which could lead to other road users becoming irritated.
Drivers in traffic should also refrain from preventing people from merging into traffic, as they do not have the legal right to do so, and police could interpret this as dangerous driving. If charged with dangerous driving, you could face a fine of up to £5,000, nine points on your licence, or even a driving ban.
Further details on the Highway Code’s rules on lane discipline can be found online here.
