0 comments
Facebook
Twitter
e-mail
Author Sebastian Oppenheimer
close
Report an error
close
Further
close
The zipper process is actually a good concept, but it rarely works in practice.
And that's for a reason.
It should be a familiar situation for most motorists: A construction site on the motorway only allows you to pass in one lane - and there is already a long backlog.
Actually, the so-called zipper procedure should help to minimize waiting times and improve the flow of traffic.
In practice, however, this rarely works - the reason for this is as simple as the rule itself.
Zipper method: Why it usually doesn't work in practice
If a lane ends or is blocked by an obstacle, then the zipper procedure is prescribed according to the Road Traffic Act (StVO, §7 Paragraph 4).
The simple principle: each car allows another to merge in from the blocked lane – “immediately before the start of the narrowing”.
And this is exactly where the problem lies: many drivers are apparently afraid of not being able to get into the passing lane in time - and change lanes well before the obstacle.
+
In the case of a narrowing of the road, the zipping procedure is specified by the StVO - an extra sign is not absolutely necessary.
(icon picture)
© Karlheinz Pawlik/Imago
Zipper method: Changing lanes too early leads to traffic jams
It is also possible that the assumption that other drivers take you for a pusher leads to a premature lane change.
But all those who drive up to the obstacle are not pushers - they are behaving according to regulations.
Changing lanes too early tends to lead to traffic jams, as the
ADAC
explains.
Mysterious traffic signs: Ten signs whose meaning is not clear to everyone
Four people are standing around a halved car - this sign puzzles many road users.
However, if you look at the vehicle as "shared", things become much clearer: this sign indicates a car sharing parking lot.
© Stefan Sauer/dpa
There are traffic signs that look like they are from another world - and in this case it really is: This black and white sign is intended for the digital world - it is meaningless for the human driver.
The sign, which can be found mainly in southern Bavaria, enables autonomous vehicles in test operation to determine their exact location.
© Future Image/Imago
In principle, only bicycles and e-scooters are allowed to ride in a bicycle lane.
However, there are exceptions, which are indicated by additional signs.
In this example, cars and motorcycles are also allowed.
However, the maximum speed is 30 km/h - and special consideration must be given to cyclists.
© Gottfried Czepluch/Imago
A green sign with a white bicycle indicates what are known as cycle expressways – regardless of the condition of the road.
Even on sandy roads, for example, it should be made clear that it is a cycle expressway.
©Panthermedia/Imago
Dead end sign Passage for cyclists and pedestrians Most road users are probably familiar with the dead end sign - but there is also a special variant that is not seen that often.
In this case, motor vehicles are closed - but there is a passage in this dead end for pedestrians and cyclists.
© Christian Ohde/Imago
Traffic sign Spielstrasse Risk of confusion!
If you ask motorists what traffic sign they see on a play street, you will probably get the same answer from almost everyone: A blue and white rectangle showing an adult and a child playing soccer – with an approaching car .
But that's wrong: This sign indicates a traffic-calmed area.
Pedestrians and other road users have equal rights here.
Despite the requirement of mutual consideration, cars and cyclists have to drive very carefully and stop if necessary.
In addition, only walking speed is allowed.
According to courts, this is between 5 and 15 km/h.
© Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago
Spielstrasse traffic signAnd here is the "real" Spielstrasse sign: It consists of a prohibition sign for all types of vehicles, with an additional sign underneath showing a child playing soccer.
“Neither motorized vehicles nor cyclists are allowed to drive or park here.
The play street is only intended for playing children and pedestrians,” explains the ADAC on its website.
© Carsten Koall/dpa
Green arrow at red traffic lightsThe green arrow (not: green arrow) at traffic lights allows all vehicles to turn right despite the red light signal.
However, only if they have previously stopped at the stop line and if there is no obstruction or danger to other road users, in particular pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the approved traffic direction.
© Martin Müller/Imago
Traffic sign green arrow for cyclists There is also a special variant of the green arrow sign: In this case, only cyclists are allowed to turn right at a red light.
Of course only under the conditions that also apply to the "normal" green arrow.
© Rüdiger Wölk/Imago
Traffic sign prohibiting overtaking of single-track vehiclesThe traffic sign for the "normal" overtaking ban should be familiar to all motorists.
This shield is a variation of that.
It explicitly prescribes an overtaking ban for single-track vehicles.
This means that multi-lane vehicles (cars, trucks) are not allowed to overtake motorcycles or bicycles on road sections that are signposted with this traffic sign.
© Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago
You can find even more exciting automotive topics in our free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.
Zipper procedure: It also applies without a corresponding traffic sign
The zipper procedure always applies when the lane narrows – although there is an extra traffic sign for this, it is not absolutely necessary.
What many drivers don't know is that there is no zip-lock procedure when entering the Autobahn.
Those who are approaching must let the vehicles on the freeway pass - and may only merge into a sufficient gap with a sufficient safety distance.
If this does not open up, the driver must stop at the end of the acceleration lane and wait until there is a suitable opportunity to enter.
List of rubrics: © Karlheinz Pawlik/Imago
