When approaching a construction zone, each driver has a decision to make – merge quickly into the lane that will soon be ending (let’s call it the third lane) or wait until the last possible second to merge.

Either option is legal.

However, one is much more socially-conscious than the other.

When we ride the third lane, we’re able to bypass many people who are patiently waiting in the lane(s) that won’t cut-off. We zoom to the front of the line, merge in, and get to shave minutes off of our wait.

However, doing so slows the commute for everyone who we just passed.

It’s a textbook example of the Prisoner’s Dilemma.

If everyone merged well before the third lane ended, traffic would flow smoothly – just like a standard two-lane highway.

But this never happens because any individual has the opportunity to personally gain by staying in the third lane. Further, the benefit is actually even greater if there are more “polite” people who get out of the third lane early.

So every time we face this situation, we have a decision to make – do we go for our personal gain or the greater good?

**Note – this is not the same as the Idiot Lane I described before. In that situation, using the lane that cuts off provides personal gain without negatively impacting other drivers. The only thing you have to lose is self-esteem as neighboring drivers who don’t understand the traffic dynamics glare at you.

-Brandon