What is the correct procedure for merging onto a highway?

The procedure for merging onto a highway correctly involves accelerating to match the speed of highway traffic. This ensures that you can enter the flow of vehicles without causing disruption or creating safety hazards. Matching the speed enables a smoother transition onto the highway, as other drivers can adjust their speed and position around you more predictably.

When entering the highway, it is essential to be aware of the traffic conditions and use the acceleration lane to build speed. Failing to accelerate adequately can impede your ability to merge safely, which could lead to dangerous situations such as potential collisions.

In contrast, decelerating until a gap appears can lead to unsafe slowdowns that might confuse or surprise drivers already on the highway. Stopping at the merge sign is inappropriate as it could create significant risks for yourself and others. Yielding to all highway traffic may also be misleading, as you should yield to existing traffic, but the expectation is that you also merge when there is a safe gap at a compatible speed.

Thus, the practice of accelerating to match the flow of highway traffic is the safest and most effective way to merge.