Texas Defensive Driving Written Practice Test

When merging onto a highway, what is the best practice?

1. Enter at a high speed to join traffic

2. Yield to traffic already on the highway

3. Merge without checking mirrors

4. Stop at the entrance ramp

The correct answer is: Yield to traffic already on the highway

When merging onto a highway, yielding to traffic already on the highway is the best practice because it ensures a safe and smooth entry into the flow of traffic. Highways typically have vehicles traveling at higher speeds, and merging safely requires that you assess the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. Yielding allows you to give priority to those already on the highway and wait for an appropriate gap in traffic, which minimizes the risk of collisions. Entering at a high speed can create dangerous situations, as it does not take into account the speed of the traffic already present on the highway. Checking mirrors is vital when merging to be aware of other vehicles’ positions and speed, making it essential for a safe merge. Stopping at the entrance ramp is not practical, as it can lead to confusion and hinder the flow of traffic on the highway, potentially causing accidents. Therefore, yielding to traffic already on the highway is crucial for maintaining safety during the merging process.