What is the proper way to merge onto a highway?

Merging onto a highway requires careful consideration of the existing traffic flow to ensure safety for all road users. The correct response emphasizes the importance of yielding to traffic that is already on the highway. This means that when approaching a highway from an entrance ramp, drivers should assess the speed and position of vehicles traveling in the right lane of the highway.

By yielding to these vehicles, drivers can enter the highway safely without disrupting the flow of traffic. This practice not only helps prevent accidents but also aids in maintaining smoother traffic movement.

In contrast, speeding up and cutting in front of other vehicles disregards the established traffic and can lead to dangerous situations. Using the shoulder is inappropriate and illegal unless directed by a specific situation, as it could endanger both the merging driver and those already on the highway. Merging from the back of the line of traffic does not address the need for timely and safe merging; instead, it implies an inefficient use of the on-ramp, which can also lead to congestion. Thus, yielding to traffic is the fundamental rule that promotes both safety and efficiency when merging onto highways.