Final answer:
Drivers should use the acceleration lane to match the speed of expressway traffic and should not stop unless traffic is at a standstill due to congestion. The acceleration lane helps vehicles reach the ideal speed for merging safely. Traffic density and vehicle speed assessment are essential in making safe merging decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When merging onto an expressway, drivers are advised to use the acceleration lane to match the speed of the traffic on the expressway before merging. Stopping in the acceleration lane is generally considered dangerous and should be avoided. However, if the traffic on the expressway is congested to the point where it is at a standstill, stopping in the acceleration lane might become necessary. The acceleration lane is designed to provide a transitional space where vehicles can increase their speed to the ideal speed for merging safely with the flow of traffic on the expressway.
The scenario can relate to situations where traffic control measures, such as a traffic signal, might be seen as a way to regulate speed and improve safety. While traffic signals can ensure vehicles slow down at intersections, on expressways the principle of continuous flow is paramount, and thus accelerating to match the speed of traffic is crucial for the safety of merging maneuvers. Decision-making about whether it is safe to merge involves assessing the density of traffic and the speeds of the vehicles already on the freeway.