Question: I was told that the speeding fine in a construction zone had gone up recently. Could you also explain the Zipper Merge when merging in a construction zone in Minnesota?
Answer: This is a great time to talk about work zone safety as we are currently investigating a local work zone crash that resulted in two injuries, one serious.
During the spring and summer months, construction season is in full swing in Minnesota and motorists risk their lives and the lives of others by not slowing down and paying attention.
In the past few years (2011-15), 39 people have died and more than 3,700 people were injured in work zone traffic crashes.
In 2015, 10 people died in work zone traffic crashes, the most since 2010 (12).
Safety Tips:
. When driving in a construction zone, slow down. Fines will cost you over $300 if cited for speeding in a work zone.
. Avoid all types of distractions while driving.
. Move over for construction workers and their vehicles, as it will provide safety for not only the workers but the motorists as well. Never drive impaired. Wear your seatbelt as it can save your life. Check out 511mn.org for road closures, detours and traffic incidents.
As far as the zipper merge in a work zone, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, when a lane is closed in a construction zone motorists should use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area, and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane.
Some drivers slow too quickly and move to the lane that will continue through the construction area. This driving behavior can lead to unexpected and dangerous lane switching, serious crashes and road rage.
Studies show that the “zipper merge” works the best to keep traffic flowing, especially when there is a lot of traffic, by:
. Reducing differences in speeds between two lanes.
. Reducing the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40 percent.
. Reducing congestion on freeway interchanges.
. Creating a sense of fairness and equity that all lanes are moving at the same rate.
. The “zipper merge” also helps prevent road rage from drivers who intentionally drive too slow in the lane that is closing, and blocking other drivers from passing or getting through. That is against the law.
A portion of state statutes was used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson – Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. (You can follow me on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach me at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us).
Question: With some recent wrong way head-on crashes in the area, can you provide some tips on what to do if you see another vehicle coming at you in your lane?
Answer: When we receive a call that a vehicle is traveling the wrong way, we treat this as an emergency and respond to the area as quickly as possible. Our goal is to get the vehicle stopped before a crash occurs. I have investigated far too many head-on crashes where occupants have lost their lives or were seriously injured due to a vehicle going the wrong way.
Drivers end up going the wrong way on a road for many reasons: Driving under the influence, confused, fatigued, not knowing the area or are unfamiliar with the road or they may be suicidal.
If you ever encounter a wrong-way vehicle coming at you:
. Slow down and move to the right as far as you can.
. Stop on the right if you have time.
. Be aware of vehicles behind you if you need to brake hard.
. Try not to swerve off the road or into other lanes at high speeds.
. If you have time, honk your horn, flash your headlights and activate your hazard lights.
. If stopped, call 911 and report your location and a description of the vehicle.
. Never turn around and follow or chase a wrong-way driver, as it will put yourself and others in danger.
. Get in the habit of driving in the right lane if you are on a two-lane same direction road, because wrong-way drivers tend to be in your left lane.
This is one example of why we encourage people to wear seatbelts, avoid distractions while driving, never drive while impaired and obey all traffic laws, as it could save your life if you ever encounter a wrong-way driver.
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