Final answer:
A driver must signal and accelerate to merge smoothly with highway traffic, matching the speed of other vehicles. Improper merging techniques can increase the risk of accidents, underscoring the importance of proper driving behavior for highway safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
A driver entering a highway via an entrance ramp must signal and accelerate, then merge smoothly with highway traffic. It is important that the driver matches the speed of the traffic already on the highway to ensure a safe merge. Honking the horn, using hand signals alone, or driving slowly can pose risks and are not the correct procedures for merging into highway traffic. The aim is to merge without causing other drivers to brake or change lanes suddenly.
Ignoring speed limits and the proper way to merge into traffic can lead to accidents, as high speeds and abrupt driving maneuvers increase the likelihood of collisions. A traffic engineer might find it useful to understand vehicle acceleration and merging times to improve road safety and traffic flow, which is clearly highlighted in examples related to how a car merges into traffic.
Ultimately, failing to properly signal and merge can contribute to accidents at high speeds. Installing traffic signals at appropriate intersections can also help regulate traffic speed and ensure safety. Moreover, the fact that the number of accidents at a given location has increased justifies the need for traffic engineers to continue evaluating and improving road safety measures.