How should a driver properly handle highway merges?

The proper way to handle highway merges is to match your speed with that of the surrounding traffic and identify a safe gap to merge into. This approach is crucial for maintaining the flow of traffic and ensuring safety for all vehicles on the roadway. By matching the speed of the vehicles already on the highway, you reduce the likelihood of causing sudden slowdowns or disruptions, which can lead to accidents.

Finding a safe gap means assessing the space available and determining if you can merge without forcing other drivers to adjust their speed significantly. This technique promotes a smoother transition onto the highway and helps prevent collisions, making it essential for safe driving practices in high-speed environments.

In contrast, slowing down excessively can create confusion and increase the risk of rear-end collisions, using hazard lights during a merge can signal distress rather than a merging intention, and forcing entry into traffic is aggressive and can lead to dangerous situations. Therefore, adopting the method of matching speed and merging into a safe gap is the best practice for handling highway merges successfully.