What should a driver do before merging onto the highway?

Before merging onto the highway, a driver should check their mirrors, signal their intention to merge, and adjust their speed to match the traffic already on the highway. This process is crucial for a few reasons.

First, checking mirrors ensures that the driver is aware of any vehicles that may be approaching from behind or in adjacent lanes. Signaling indicates to other drivers that the vehicle intends to merge, which promotes safety by allowing them to prepare for the change. Lastly, adjusting speed to match that of the highway traffic allows for a smoother and safer merge, reducing the risk of accidents that can occur if a vehicle enters the highway too slowly or too quickly compared to surrounding traffic.

In contrast, waiting for a green light is not applicable as most highways do not have traffic lights at entrance ramps. Moving onto the highway immediately without taking the necessary precautions increases the risk of collisions, and observing only one side limits the driver's awareness of the surrounding environment, which is essential during a merge. Hence, the correct practices ensure a safe and effective merging maneuver onto the highway.