When merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:

• A. At or near the same speed as the traffic on the freeway.
• B. Slower than the traffic by 20 mph.
• C. Faster than the traffic by 20 mph.
• D. Only in the carpool lane.

Answer: (A)

When you merge onto the freeway, you want to blend smoothly with the existing traffic by driving at or near the speed of vehicles already on the freeway. Matching the flow makes it easier to find a safe gap and reduces the chance that drivers behind you have to brake or swerve to accommodate you. Use the acceleration lane to reach freeway speed, signal, and check mirrors and blind spots before merging into a gap that’s safe.

Going much slower than traffic can cause sudden braking or a rear-end collision, while going much faster can surprise other drivers and make merging hazardous. The carpool lane has its own rules and isn’t the only place to merge; the priority is to merge safely into the regular flow by matching speed and maintaining a safe following distance.