What is the best practice for merging onto a freeway?

The correct practice for merging onto a freeway is to accelerate to match the speed of highway traffic. This is important because freeways typically have higher speed limits and merging at a similar pace helps ensure a smooth transition onto the highway. It minimizes risks by reducing the chances of a sudden speed change that could lead to collisions or disrupt the flow of traffic.

When merging, drivers are encouraged to use the acceleration lane effectively to reach the speed of vehicles already on the freeway, allowing for a safer merge. This practice helps maintain the rhythm of traffic and enables other drivers to adjust their speed accordingly, making the merge more seamless.

Options suggesting decelerating or merging without checking traffic can create hazardous conditions. Decelerating can disrupt traffic flow and increase the chance of accidents, while failing to check surrounding traffic puts the merging vehicle at greater risk of collisions. Merging during off-peak hours may reduce the likelihood of encountering heavy traffic but does not address the fundamental need to match speed when merging.