4 "golden" notes when driving a car to safely enter the highway lane

1. Gradually increase the speed with other vehicles

To safely merge onto the freeway, you must first make sure your vehicle is traveling at the same speed as other vehicles on the freeway.

• Merging at the same speed as other vehicles will ensure you don't create a dangerous situation with a vehicle traveling at high speed behind you.
• Look in your mirrors and pay attention to other cars as you accelerate. You may have to wait a beat or two before accelerating if you see cars coming too fast in the lane you are merging into.
• 2. Signal to enter lane

Signal early to let other drivers know you want to merge. Signaling early gives them more time to react. You do not have the right of way, other drivers will not slow down, they will stay the same speed. It is up to you to adjust your speed and merge safely.

If traffic on the highway is heavy, you will have to find a gap to merge into. Keep your eyes on the road, but also check your mirrors and behind you to see when it is safe to move into traffic. At the same time, maintaining an appropriate speed will allow you to merge safely.

• Look in the rearview mirror, then the driver's side mirror.
• Glance to make sure there are no cars in your blind spot (directly behind you in the lane you are merging into).
• Check to see if anyone is slowing down or stopping at the ramp/merge in front of you.

4. Merge onto the freeway when safe.

When you see a gap, pull into it. You should then drive at the same speed as other vehicles on the road. Pay attention to the cars around you as you merge; you will need to react quickly if someone brakes in front of you or tries to cut into your lane.