Question

When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving: at or near the same speed of the traffic on the highway, 5 or 10mph slower than the traffic on the highway, the posted speed for traffic on the highway

Answer 1

When merging onto the freeway, you should be driving at or near the same speed of the traffic on the highway. This aids in a smooth transition and safer driving conditions, and the speed chosen should reflect the traffic flow, not necessarily the posted speed limit nor significantly slower or faster than the flow of moving vehicles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proper Speed When Merging Onto the Freeway

When merging onto the freeway, you should aim to be driving at or near the same speed as the traffic already on the highway. This allows for smoother integration into the flow of vehicles and reduces the likelihood of accidents. Driving too slow or too fast can create dangerous situations for both you and other drivers. In a scenario where you're driving home from a party, it's not uncommon to vary your speed based on emotions and concerns, such as worry about police presence, which could make you slow down to a more socially acceptable speed. Similarly, when approaching a town with a posted speed limit, like Jacinto City, Texas, where it's 30 miles per hour, staying within that limit is important to avoid traffic violations.

It's worth noting that traffic engineers may calculate the time it takes to merge into freeway traffic, using the initial velocity and acceleration of a car to determine how long the merge will take. An example would be a car accelerating at 2.00 m/s² from an initial speed of 10.0 m/s on a 200-m-long ramp. The time to merge could be factored as part of traffic flow studies and is significant for understanding highway dynamics.

Answer 2

When merging onto a freeway, you should drive at or near the same speed as the highway traffic to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

​When merging onto the freeway, it is generally advised that you should be driving at or near the same speed as the traffic on the highway. This is crucial for safety and helps facilitate smoother integration into the flow of traffic. Merging at a significantly lower speed can cause unsafe conditions and disrupt the traffic pattern. However, if traffic on the highway is moving slower than the posted speed limit due to congestion or other conditions, you must adjust accordingly to match the flow of traffic while merging.