By Nolan Cross | UNITED STATES
A quiet suburban neighborhood erupted in applause Tuesday after an entire line of drivers merged into one lane without honking, accelerating aggressively, or staring at another motorist as though personally betrayed.
The extraordinary sequence lasted just 43 seconds, but witnesses say it restored their faith in civilization.
“The driver on the left signaled, and the driver on the right actually let them in,” said resident Elaine Porter, still visibly shaken. “Then it happened again. I called my husband because I didn’t think he’d believe me.”
Local officials briefly considered erecting a commemorative plaque, but traffic engineers warned that stopping to read it would create a new bottleneck.
One driver admitted to feeling an unfamiliar sensation during the event. “I think it was cooperation,” he said. “At first I thought my check-engine light had come on.”
The neighborhood plans to attempt a second successful merge next month, although organizers caution that expectations should remain realistic.
Photo: Jon Beake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5. Photo source and license.
About the writer
Nolan Cross covers transportation for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.
