Slam the brakes on jibber jabber

As a regular reader of Street Smarts, i.e. The Most Practical Column In The Herald, I was intrigued and increasingly frustrated as I read the Monday column on the Highway 204 and 20 Street SE merge problem. (“’Zipper merge’ novel idea but tough for drivers to grasp.”) The writer questions why an “alternate merge” solution is not implemented to help correct this poorly designed and dangerous on-ramp. Though I have not heard the specific term “alternate merge,” the concept was immediately clear; as a regular I-405 driver, most all people are clearly familiar with the “every-other-driver” on-ramp merge etiquette, especially during rush hour.

Then the bureaucrats weighed in. DOT spokesman Dave Chesson responded with the term “zipper merge… . The idea is so novel that informational campaigns are usually used to help explain what the terminology means.” Zipper merge? Once again, only our elected and appointed public servants can utilize a term so arcane that even more of our scarce transportation dollars must be spent on “informational campaigns.” After all, “Our preference is to always have clear traffic rules so the driving public will understand what a sign means,” and, “… a zipper merge is an idea mostly outside the public’s understanding….” Hey DOT, two words: clear speech. Or is that an idea mostly outside of your understanding?

Scott Thomas

Arlington