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Driving Tips > The 60-Second Driver
High-Speed Merging
Merging traffic when entering a highway requires communication and co-operation between two drivers.
It's always safer for the driver on the highway to change lanes and let merging traffic in. This reduces the possibility of a conflict.
In situations where the traffic is heavy and won't allow for a lane change, the driver on the highway should try to adjust speed to allow traffic to merge. The driver in the entry lane should attempt to match speeds with traffic on the highway, in order to create an opportunity to safely join the traffic flow.
One of the biggest and most dangerous mistakes drivers make is coming to a complete stop unnecessarily in a highway merge lane. The high speed traffic following this driver may not be able to stop at the bottom of the loop. Also, from this 'stand-still' position it may be hard to accelerate quickly enough to safely fit into the traffic flow.
Here's a look at the correct way to merge onto a highway:
Plan ahead. View the traffic flow you are joining, to look for speed and spaces where you may fit in, and, as much as safely able, maintain your speed. Then use the acceleration lane to match your speed with the traffic flow. You'll find it much easier to merge.
Unless traffic is extremely heavy, don't stop in a merge lane. Maintain your speed to join smoothly with the traffic flow.
Be sure to use proper turn signals to indicate your intentions to the other driver. This allows merging at highway speeds to be carried out safely.
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