What is the proper way to merge onto a highway?

Merging onto a highway requires a driver to adjust their speed to match that of the existing traffic in order to enter smoothly and safely. By accelerating to the appropriate speed, you maintain a flow that minimizes disruption and potential hazards. This approach ensures that you can merge confidently into a gap in traffic without causing other drivers to brake or swerve, which enhances overall road safety.

In contrast, merging without checking for traffic can result in dangerous situations, as it does not account for the speed and proximity of other vehicles. Stopping before merging interrupts the flow of traffic and can lead to collisions, especially if those behind you are not expecting a halt in a merge lane. Signaling is an important step, but failing to adjust your speed means you may not fit safely into the ongoing traffic stream, which also poses risks. Therefore, accelerating to match the speed of traffic is the safest and most effective strategy when merging onto a highway.