Section 4 Defensive Driving and Safety
Chapter 15
Merging into the flow of traffic
Merging onto traffic congested highways can be a potentially dangerous task, especially when taking into account the unpredictability of other driver’s actions. A merge is one of the highest risk maneuvers that you will do as a driver. As a driver you have to pay attention to things happening in front of you, things happening behind you, and the things happening two lanes to the left and two lanes to the right of you.
How to Merge into Traffic
- First, identify a gap between cars on the freeway where you can merge. There should be a three to four second gap in traffic when merging. This gap should be identified as soon as possible. Rather than looking for the vehicle you want to get in front of, the driver should look for the vehicle they want to be behind
- Then, continue increasing your speed until you reach the gap you selected. Drivers often have the tendency to slow down before merging which is a big mistake. Adjust vehicle speed to match the flow of traffic before entering the highway. Crucially, drivers should avoid stopping unless absolutely necessary, since traffic already on the highway has the right of way.
- The driver should signal their intentions to other drivers early — at least 100 to 300 feet before merging.
- Once on the freeway, adjust your speed to keep a cushion of space around your car.
- Finally, once you’ve merged and adjusted your speed you probably will change lanes at some point.
- Look around you for a large enough space to move into.
- Use your mirrors. Turn your head to look quickly to the side before changing lanes. Then make your lane change.
Many drivers don’t look far enough ahead as they’re driving, so they don’t spot you until the last moment and you could already be merging, assuming the driver has already identified you. You want to make sure that you’re visible as much as possible.
State Farm recommends a number of other tips to drivers for merging onto highways:
- Wait for the solid line to end before merging into traffic.
- Cross one lane of traffic at a time.
- If the driver must pass a slower-moving vehicle, pass on the left and return to the original lane only after the slower vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror. Increase this distance when passing larger vehicles.
It is prudent the driver has all vehicle mirrors properly adjusted when merging.
Because side-view mirrors are often tightly focused inward, drivers go through all types of contortions, such as turning their head and moving their shoulders about. As a result, drivers lose sight of what's ahead of them. If drivers have their mirrors properly adjusted to just slightly see the side of their vehicle, they’ll get a better view of what’s in the lane they wish to merge into.