How to Properly Merge on the Highway

There are a lot of people who have difficulty with merging process in every state in this wonderful country of ours, that’s evident just from being on the roads for ten minutes. Too often we see people barreling down the entrance ramp onto the highway without even slowing down to see if they are able to proceed into the flow of traffic. It’s almost as if they just expect us to get out of their way, no matter what, even if there is nowhere for us to go because of the traffic pattern.

Even though this subtle skill is taught excessively in behind the wheel driving courses, people seem to have forgotten how to do it and other drivers seem to have forgotten how to let people in. Our manners on the roads, these days, are kind of terrible. However, this is no excuse for the issues concerning how to properly make your way down an entrance ramp and onto the highway, safely

There’s a Procedure

Look Around -You’ll have to take stock of all of your surroundings. Look toward the highway on which you’re trying to merge and see what the traffic patterns look like. You should be able to see if it’s going to be clear enough for you to get out without having to stop, or if you may have to slow down. Your merging should not make people have to brake. While you’re looking at your surroundings, check out the other lanes of traffic as well. Make sure that the people in the lane you’re going to merge into have a place to go if you’re going in.

Yield -Remember what a yield sign means. It doesn’t mean slow down if you want to. It means slow down and proceed when safe. It doesn’t mean come rocketing down the entrance ramp and expect the waters to part to allow you into the flow of traffic. If it is possible to let you in, most cars will. Otherwise, simply wait your turn and make your move when you can.

Keep Going -When you’re coming down an entrance ramp to get onto the highway, keep going. Don’t dawdle at the end of the ramp because you don’t know how to get in properly. If you have to hit the brakes at the end of the ramp, you probably shouldn’t have been traveling at the rate of speed at which you were traveling. When you get to the end of the ramp, go. Get out there and avoid a potential pile up on the ramp.

Return the Favor –If someone is kind enough to slow their pace on the highway to let you in, go! Don’t wait around for an engraved invitation. Just go. Once you’ve merged safely, don’t interrupt the flow of traffic. Maintain your speed, but most importantly, return the favor when you get the chance. Allow the person who seems to be struggling-the opportunity to get in front of you.

There are a lot of new drivers entering the highways of America every single day. Let’s not teach them our horrific driving habits and ensure they know exactly how to get and off the highway before we unleash them. However, if you’re not really sure how to merge either, let someone else teach them and maybe take a lesson or two yourself.