Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Co-operation key to safe highway merging
Merging onto a highway can be tricky. It’s safer when the drivers in the merging lane and on the highway work together.
Highway driver – make room
If the traffic is light enough, the driver on the highway should changes lanes before reaching the merging lane. That lets incoming traffic get onto the highway safely.
Merging driver – plan your merge
While you’re still approaching the highway in the entrance lane, watch for gaps in the traffic. See if you’ll be able to fit into a gap, or if you’ll have to slow or stop. However, you should make every effort to enter a highway without stopping. If you have to stop, stop at the beginning of the merging lane.
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Prevent rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common at merges. When you’re approaching the highway tap your brake lights to warn vehicles behind you that you may need to slow or stop.
Merging vehicle – match speed to highway vehicles
If you need to merge into a gap in traffic, use the merge lane to match speed with the vehicles on the highway in order to fit smoothly.
Highway driver – be aware
If you’re on the highway and can’t change lanes to make room, adjust your speed so the merging driver can fit in ahead of or behind you.
Make sure to signal
Signal your lane changes so that all other drivers will know what’s going on.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, see the following topics in our website:
- High Speed Merging in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Highway Merging directly.
