What is the proper way to merge onto a freeway?

Merging onto a freeway safely requires you to adjust your speed to match that of the vehicles already on the freeway. This is crucial because freeways are designed for high-speed travel, and merging at a significantly lower speed can create a dangerous situation for both yourself and other drivers. By accelerating to match the speed of traffic, you are able to seamlessly integrate into the flow, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring a smoother transition onto the freeway.

In contrast, coming to a complete stop or waiting too long for an opening can disrupt the flow of traffic and increase the chance of a collision. Additionally, driving at a reduced speed while attempting to merge can create confusion and lead to dangerous situations as other drivers may not expect a vehicle moving slower than the normal traffic speed to be merging. Merging only when a lane is completely empty is often unrealistic, as well as potentially unsafe, given how fast freeway traffic can move.