Merging Safely

Merging two traffic streams into one lane is one of the most difficult parts of driving.

THE PRIMARY RULE OF MERGING

DO NOT STAY NEXT TO ANOTHER VEHICLE.

Always leave space directly to the front and sides of your vehicle.

WRONG

RIGHT

take turns sign ALWAYS OBEY THESE RULES FOR MERGING NO MATTER WHAT SIGNS ARE THERE.

ALWAYS TAKE TURNS.
Being selfish makes drivers brake hard and slows down all traffic.
NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY IN A MERGE.
Those in front should have priority over those behind. This is taking turns.
IT IS ALWAYS YOUR DUTY TO MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER CARS TO MERGE.
The MERGE sign is a command to do this.
SPREAD OUT JUST BEFORE THE MERGE.
Leave room for merging traffic to enter.
NEVER PASS OTHER VEHICLES WITHIN THE MERGE AREA.
NEVER SPEED UP to keep vehicles from merging in front of you.
NEVER STAY ALONGSIDE ANOTHER CAR IN THE MERGE.
Alternate positions so there is room to merge (as in the second image above). Take turns.
CHANGE TO LANES AWAY FROM THE MERGING AREA IF YOU CAN.
Leave more room for merging traffic to enter.
NEVER BE SELFISH. MAKE ROOM FOR CARS TO ENTER. SLOW DOWN TO LET THEN IN.
The merge lane is not long enough for drivers to suddenly select other gap openings.
NEVER LEAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON IF IN A MERGING LANE.
You need precise throttle control to match the gaps in the other stream.
IF YOU ARE PULLING A TRAILER, GET OUT OF THE MERGE LANE IF YOU CAN.
Your vehicle is too long for a merging driver to find a safe gap. This includes semis.