What is the proper way to merge onto a highway?

Merging onto a highway requires careful attention to the speed and flow of existing traffic, making it essential to accelerate to a speed that matches that of the vehicles already on the highway. By doing this, you can integrate your vehicle smoothly and safely into the traffic flow.

When you approach the merging area, there is typically an acceleration lane that allows you to gain speed. This is crucial for a safe merge, as entering a highway at a significantly lower speed than the traffic can create dangerous situations, including potential collisions. Once you have reached an appropriate speed and identified a gap in traffic, you can safely merge by signaling your intent to the vehicles around you.

This approach not only enhances your safety but also contributes to the overall efficiency of traffic movement on the highway. It’s important to remember that stopping on the entrance ramp is discouraged, as it can create confusion and danger for both you and other drivers. Using your horn is generally reserved for alerting other drivers to danger, rather than as a routine alerting mechanism during a merge. Checking your mirrors and blind spots before merging is also critical to ensure that no vehicles are in your way.