Pre-merging causes nothing but problems

The merge point going north out of Sandpoint on Fifth is before the railway underpass in front of the chamber of commerce-visitor center. It is not at the Chevron station, or at the intersection by Safeway. Pre-merging causes traffic tie-ups.

A quote from DMV.org.

"Merging is designed to permit vehicles to enter and exit a highway without causing disruption in the flow of traffic." (This works on roadways too!).

"To keep a good pace in heavy traffic, merging should work like the teeth on a zipper. One vehicle merges; a vehicle already on the highway passes; another vehicle merges; a vehicle already on the highway passes, and so on. Of course, in this day and age of aggressive driving, it may not always work out this way."

The above statement is regarding a highway merge point, traffic is going much faster. But the results of stopping or tying up traffic by merging prior to the merge point (and blocking traffic) are similar. Traffic jam! There are many nice, considerate drivers who understand that you are not trying to take cuts, you are just keeping the traffic flowing.

Two short lines, instead of one long. Merge at the merge point, it is not so hard. Let's try it shall we? There is nothing more frustrating than seeing traffic backed up for blocks in one lane, with no cars in the other lane, or cars blocking traffic trying to squeeze in. Merge at the merge point, traffic will flow like it should.

SANDY GALE

Sandpoint