What is the best practice when merging onto a highway?

Yielding to traffic already on the highway is the best practice when merging onto a highway. This approach allows for a safe and efficient transition into the flow of traffic. Highways typically have higher speed limits, and vehicles already on the highway are moving at those speeds. By yielding, you assess the situation and wait for an adequate gap in traffic, enabling a smooth entry without forcing other drivers to brake or change their speed abruptly.

Additionally, this practice emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, which is crucial for safe driving. When merging, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and properly judging their speed and position can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Yielding also aligns with traffic laws that dictate the responsibility of merging vehicles to accommodate the traffic that is already on the road.

Merging quickly without regard for existing traffic can create dangerous situations, and stopping before merging can lead to rear-end collisions. Signaling is essential for informing other drivers of your intentions; however, it is most effective when done in conjunction with yielding and assessing the traffic conditions.