Just Zip It!
August 8, 2022
I was raised in Omaha and thus learned to drive in Omaha. And like many native Omahans, I used to merge like a moron. Until about 6 years ago, I was the a**hole who would queue up in one long line of traffic and wouldn’t let anyone in from the other lane. At the time, I believed the drivers in the lane that was about to end were being rude, so I wielded my politeness with an aggressive hand.
I was clueless that merging late is merging safe. The most efficient and safest way to merge is by using BOTH lanes of traffic and waiting to merge until the actual merge point. Even the Federal Highway Administration agrees:
In typical lane reduction situations, drivers often attempt to merge into the appropriate lane as soon as possible, which can lead to potentially unsafe driving behavior such as slowing too quickly, excessive braking, or dangerous lane changes. Additionally, much of the lane that’s ending remains unused prior to the merge area.
Although an early merge may be safe, or even ideal, at lower speeds with lighter traffic flow, a later merge can be beneficial in managing unsafe driving behavior at higher speeds and/or when the traffic flow is heavier. (1)
The City of Omaha ALSO WANTS YOU TO MERGE PROPERLY! Did you know that the City of Omaha designed a public outreach campaign called “Just Zip It!” The campaign encourages and educates people about how to merge properly in construction zones. Check out their website for videos, resources, and tips on merging properly.
Here’s a sneak preview of some of the information you’ll find there:
This great website needs more traffic, and the people of Omaha need more driving education, so please share the Just Zip It website on your social media platforms and via email!
It is my understanding that the public launch of this campaign was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Let your representatives and City administrators know that you’d like this public education campaign to be formally distributed!
The folks behind the Just Zip It! campaign designed decals for the citizens of Omaha to use on their cars as a show of zipper merge support.
Please contact Jeff Sobczyk, the Vision Zero Coordinator for the City of Omaha, for Just Zip It! decals while they last. Jeff.Sobczyk@cityofomaha.org
I still have a couple dozen decals as well, so you can also contact me at safeomahastreets@gmail.com and I will send you decals like the one in the photo to the left!
Safe Omaha Streets wants to build on the momentum of existing safe-driving initiatives like the Just Zip It! campaign. And if the city doesn’t have time or funds to distribute it, we will!
Thanks for reading!
(1) https://highways.dot.gov/research/projects/sign-guidance-zipper-merge