When entering an interstate highway, you should:
Answers
Stop on the entrance ramp and wait for an opening in traffic.
Drive on the shoulder until you can enter the main-traveled roadway safely.
Locate a gap in traffic, adjust your speed, then safely merge.
Force your way into traffic.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
Locate a gap in traffic, adjust your speed, then safely merge.
Explanation:
When entering an interstate highway, it’s important to follow the proper procedure to ensure your safety and the safety of others. The correct method is to locate a gap in traffic, adjust your speed accordingly, and merge into the flow of vehicles. This ensures smooth and safe integration into the high-speed traffic on the interstate. Here’s why this method is the safest:
- Use of the Acceleration Lane: Interstate highways typically have an entrance ramp or acceleration lane that allows drivers to increase their speed gradually to match the flow of traffic. This lane gives you the space and time to adjust your speed before merging into the main lanes. By entering the ramp, you should already be looking ahead for a gap in traffic and accelerating to a speed that matches the vehicles on the highway.
- Safety of Merging: Merging requires you to adjust your speed to match the vehicles in the rightmost lane of the highway. This helps avoid sudden braking or swerving by other drivers, who might not expect a vehicle to enter the road at an unexpected speed. Finding a gap ensures you can merge smoothly without disrupting the flow of traffic or causing accidents.
- Avoiding Sudden Stops or Lane Changes: Stopping on the entrance ramp (as the first option suggests) is dangerous because it can lead to rear-end collisions if other drivers do not expect you to stop. Similarly, driving on the shoulder (second option) is not safe and can be illegal. Forcing your way into traffic (fourth option) is also dangerous and aggressive, potentially causing accidents or creating road rage situations.
By finding a gap and merging safely, you contribute to a smoother and more predictable driving environment. This reduces the risk of accidents and ensures a safer driving experience for everyone on the road.