MERGING What Young Drivers Must Do to Execute These Maneuvers

Every day on the roads of America, drivers are faced with a variety of challenges. These challenges are made more difficult due to the actions of other drivers. When entering the highway, you must learn how to merge to ensure safe entry for you and the others occupying the highway.

ENTERING THE HIGHWAY When entering a highway, you will use an on-ramp to merge into the flowing traffic. Scanning is critical to your success in entering a highway. Scanning involves being aware of the conditions ahead, behind and beside your vehicle at all times.

Entering the Highway As you approach the highway from the on- ramp you should start to identify the flow of traffic as early as possible. Some of the time, other drivers will leave the merging lane open to make it easier for vehicles entering the highway. However, you can not rely on this, especially during periods of heavy traffic.

Entering the Highway Look for a gap in traffic and put your signal on indicating that you are planning to enter the lane while attempting to maintain a speed that will allow you to not disrupt the traffic flow. Merge into the lane and adjust your speed. Cancel signal, check rearview mirror. Target ahead and establish a proper following time.

COMMON ERRORS Common errors for merging onto the highway: 1) speed too slow 2) poor judgement of space and gaps in traffic 3) failure to signal or cancel signal 4) jerky, abrupt steering 5) drifting while making visual checks

Exiting a Highway Exiting a highway tends to be much easier than entering a highway as long as you are in the proper lane. Not all exits are on the same side of the highway, so it is important to pay attention to the road signs. It is best to place yourself in the proper exit lane well before the exit (a mile before is preferred)

Exiting a Highway Once in the proper lane, signal and move into the deceleration lane. Maintain your speed until off the highway if there is sufficient space. ( Some exit ramps during times of high volume traffic will be backed up) Reduce your speed to the posted speed after entering deceleration lane/ exit ramp. Cancel signal.

Leaving Highway A common mistake of drivers is failing to adjust their speed after exiting the highway. Many tickets have been received by drivers that fail to yield to the new speed limit.

Common Errors These are the common errors when exiting a highway: 1) reducing speed too soon 2) braking unnecessarily on highway 3) Not identifying your exit area in advance 4) Not checking your speedometer after exiting highway.