What action should you take when merging onto a highway?

When merging onto a highway, the recommended action is to accelerate to match the speed of highway traffic. This action is crucial because highways are designed for high-speed travel, and maintaining a similar speed allows for a safer and smoother merging process. By accelerating to match the speed of vehicles already on the highway, you help reduce the risk of collisions and create a more predictable environment for all drivers involved.

Matching the speed of traffic also facilitates smoother transitions into the flow of vehicles, minimizing the need for others to adjust their speed significantly. This enhances overall traffic safety and efficiency. It's important to check your mirrors and use turn signals while merging to indicate your intentions clearly to other drivers.

Contrasting options involve actions that could potentially create hazards. For example, slowing down to assess traffic can lead to confusion and disrupt the flow of traffic, while coming to a complete stop or merging without adjusting speed can place you at risk of accidents.