What action should you take when merging onto a highway?

When merging onto a highway, signaling your intention, accelerating to match the speed of the traffic on the highway, and merging smoothly is essential for several reasons.

First, signaling alerts other drivers of your intent to merge, which is critical in maintaining safe distances and promoting awareness on the road. This communication helps prevent accidents and ensures that other drivers can anticipate your movements.

Second, accelerating to match highway speeds is crucial because it allows for a smoother integration into the flow of traffic. If you merge at a significantly slower speed, it can create dangerous situations for both yourself and others. Vehicles already on the highway are traveling at higher speeds, and a drastic difference in speed can lead to collisions.

Finally, merging smoothly is necessary to maintain a consistent flow of traffic and to minimize disruptions. A smooth merge reduces the chances of sudden stops or swerves, which can lead to accidents.

In contrast, stopping completely before merging can cause confusion and disrupt traffic flow, leading to increased danger. Merging without signaling can surprise drivers and increase the risk of collision, while driving at a slower speed can make it difficult for you to find a safe gap in traffic. Overall, the right approach to merging contributes to safety and efficiency on the roads.