What is the correct way to merge onto a highway?

The correct approach to merging onto a highway involves accelerating to match the speed of existing traffic and yielding to vehicles already on the highway. This method is essential for ensuring a smooth and safe transition into fast-moving traffic. By matching the speed, drivers minimize disruption to the flow of traffic, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents.

Yielding is also crucial. It means that if there are vehicles in your lane on the highway, you should allow them to pass by before you merge. This consideration is vital for maintaining safety and encourages cooperative driving behavior among all roadway users.

In contrast, stopping at the end of the merge lane and waiting for a gap can create hazardous situations, as it may leave little room for safe merging and confuse other drivers. Using the horn to alert other drivers, while potentially helpful in some situations, is not a standard practice and can be perceived as aggressive or inappropriate. Lastly, merging without checking mirrors is dangerous, as it disregards the need to be aware of surrounding traffic, potentially leading to collisions. Therefore, the most effective strategy when approaching a highway merge is to accelerate appropriately and yield as necessary.