Q: Lacey, on a traffic report one recent morning, I heard you say we should merge early when we see a lane of traffic is about to end, or as soon as it is safe to when we see a lane is ending. That's not true, is it? I thought you are supposed to merge at the end when the lane ends. Which is it?

A:  We are both right! Sort of. If you're driving in Kansas, and seven other states in the U.S., you are supposed to "zipper merge", which is what you mentioned — waiting until the lane ends before merging one car at a time. But, if I'm driving in New York and all the other states, I'm right (whew)! 

So New York State does not support your theory of zipper merging — currently. Zipper merging is where drivers use both lanes of travel when approaching a work zone or when lanes merge together when they are ending. The state currently wants drivers to merge early. They think it is safest to prepare to merge early and as soon as you see lane ending signs.

But guess what? This may change if a new state law is passed. New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry, D-Brooklyn, presented Bill A9066 in favor of the zipper merge, and it is redrafted as Bill A2095 for 2019-2020. I have placed a call to Assemblyman Perry and I am going to follow this proposed bill closely. 

Spectrum News's Real-Time Traffic Expert, Lacey Leonardi, helps you get around accidents and congestion in Central New York. Every week, Lacey answers a viewer question on Spectrum News's Traffic Inbox. Have a question about traffic or the rules of the road? Ask Lacey!