Merge in Turn
The Key to Smoother Traffic Flow
The Key to Smoother Traffic Flow
25th November 2025
As drivers, we all face moments on the road that test our patience and understanding of traffic rules. One common situation, often misunderstood, is the “merge in turn” move. While it might seem a bit strange at first, mastering the merge in turn isn’t just about following the Highway Code. It’s about making driving more efficient, safer, and less stressful for everyone.
I used to be one of those people that would sit in one lane full of traffic, getting annoyed at people who were going up to the road closure point, to then merge into the the lane I was in. However after stumbling across a social media post by the social media account “itsbigjobber”, I was shown the error of my ways, and now actively follow what it says in the highway code, merge at the point two lanes become one.
You can see the social media post below where “itsbigjobber” gives great information and insight into ‘merge in turn’.
The idea behind “merge in turn,” also known as a “zipper merge,” is simple: when two lanes of traffic need to become one, drivers should use both lanes right up to where they meet. Then, they take turns moving into the single lane. Imagine the teeth of a zipper coming together – one from the left, one from the right, and so on.
You’ll usually see merge in turn signs at roadworks, when a lane closes, or where a multi-lane road gets narrower. The main point is to use the full length of both lanes instead of trying to merge early.
When drivers merge early, they leave a lot of the merging lane empty. This makes the queue in the other lane much longer. By using both lanes right up to the merge point, cars are spread out more evenly. This shortens the queue and helps reduce overall traffic jams.
By having cars take turns, the merge in turn keeps traffic moving steadily. This stops the stop-start motion often seen when drivers try to force their way in or merge too soon, leading to smoother progress for everyone.
The alternating system feels fairer, as no one driver is seen as “cutting in.” This reduces aggressive driving and sudden braking, which in turn makes roads much safer.
@itsbigjobber Car driver try’s to block taxi driver from using road correctly to merge in turn / zipper merge w @Driver_Matty . Jobber addresses the common comments on this video and explains why zip merging is better and everyone should use both lanes until the closure and then zipper merge #zippermerge #merginglanes #zipmerging #driving #dashcam #cartok
♬ original sound – Jobber
The Highway Code clearly tells drivers how to handle merging traffic. Rule 134 states: “When you see a ‘Merge in turn’ sign or you are approaching roadworks that are narrowing, you should use both lanes until you reach the merge point and then take turns to merge into the remaining lane.”
This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a rule made to make traffic flow better and keep everyone safe. It’s our job to understand and follow this rule. It’s crucial to resist the urge to merge early and instead use the full length of the lane.
To do a perfect merge in turn, keep these practical tips in mind:
The merge in turn, when used by everyone, can really improve our daily journeys. It shows how small things we do, guided by the Highway Code, can together make traffic flow much better and roads safer.