How should you merge onto a highway safely?

• A. Signal, check mirrors and blind spots, adjust speed to fit a gap, yield to through traffic.
• B. Signal only after you have merged, ignore blind spots.
• C. Wait for a large, slow vehicle to create a gap, then merge behind it.
• D. Accelerate to the same speed as traffic and merge without signaling.

Answer: (A)

Merging safely onto a highway hinges on clear communication and finding a reliable place in the traffic flow. Start by signaling your intention so others know you’re entering. Then quickly check your mirrors and scan your blind spots to confirm there isn’t a vehicle in the lane you plan to enter. Once you’ve confirmed a safe gap, adjust your speed to match the traffic so you can merge smoothly without forcing your way in. Remember to yield to through traffic—enter only when there’s a safe space and you won’t disrupt the vehicles already traveling on the highway.

Signaling after you’ve merged or waiting for a specific vehicle to create a gap isn’t dependable or safe, and merging without signaling is confusing for other drivers and increases crash risk.