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Senate approves zipper-merge bill after debate over criminalizing driving behavior
Summary
The Utah Senate passed First Substitute House Bill 76 to promote zipper-merge behavior through education and code changes, 21–3. Supporters cited traffic-efficiency research; opponents warned the change risks criminalizing ordinary driving without sufficient public education.
Senator McKay, sponsor of First Substitute House Bill 76, told the Senate the measure aims to put zipper-merge guidance into statute and add an educational component, citing research that the zipper merge can be about 40% more efficient than early merging. "The zipper merge is 40% more efficient than the get-in-line approach," McKay said while presenting the bill.
The bill prompted an extended exchange on whether the state should treat failure to…
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