Merging. Merging when the number of lanes is reduced. When you are travelling on a road without lane markings and the number of lanes or lines of traffic is reduced, you must merge by giving way to any vehicle that is ahead of you. This is often called a zipper merge. Changing lanes when a marked lane ends. When you are travelling in a marked lane which is ending and you need to cross a broken painted line to enter the adjacent lane, you must give way to traffic travelling in the lane being entered. There are actually two different merging rails to remember, depending on the situation. Let's look at merging situation number one. When one marked lane comes to an end. If it's your lane that's ending, it's just like any other lane change. You must give way to any traffic already in the lane you're moving into. So here, vehicle A needs to give way to vehicle B. When the lane is clear, vehicle A is freedom over cross. The other merging situation arises when there are no marked lanes but different lines of traffic merging together into one. In this situation, you must give way to any vehicle that's in front of you. So vehicle B needs to give way to vehicle A. Riding is required when two lanes are reduced to one. In light traffic, a simple lane change to blend in with the flow keeps traffic moving at normal speeds. When there are low traffic volumes combined with high average speeds, an early merge makes sense and drivers should do so. As traffic volumes increase, most drivers continue to believe that the earlier they get out of a blocked lane, the better. This is not the case in moderate to heavy traffic. As it begins to create a backlog and possibly bad feelings, as early mergers believe other drivers are bypassing the line and cutting in right before the lane ends. This is not the most effective or safest way to merge in heavier traffic volumes. The zipper merge is the best way to merge in heavier traffic volumes. The zipper merge is when drivers use both lanes fully until they reach the end of the lane. Then alternate into the open lane. This maximizes road space and can reduce congestion by as much as 40%. Best of all, everyone gets to where they're going faster. And who doesn't want that? Merging lanes safely. Merging and changing lanes can sometimes seem to be a stressful task. Even these two simple rules to make it easier. Whenever you change lanes from one marked lane to another, you must give way to vehicles already in that lane or line of traffic. This includes merging into freeway traffic. Indicate and change lanes when there is a safe gap in traffic. If the lane in front of you is blocked, you must indicate and give way. Zip merging is when two lanes of traffic merge into one, on a road where there are no lane markings. You must give way to any vehicle which has any part of its vehicle ahead of yours. Merging onto a freeway can make us nervous. But just remember your merging manners. Next time you merge, make sure to check the body language from cars around you. Do they look like they'll let you in? Keep enough space in front and behind. Never merge abruptly or come to a stop in the merging lane. And be kind when you see others merging. Next time you need to merge, just remember these steps. Match your speed to the freeway traffic. Use your indicator. Look for a gap in traffic and merge when it's safe. Flow these steps and you'll be merging master in no time.