When merging onto a freeway, what should a driver do?

Answer: B — Accelerate to match the speed of traffic

When merging onto a freeway, a driver should accelerate to match the speed of traffic. This is essential because freeways are designed for higher-speed travel, and merging at a speed compatible with existing vehicles helps maintain the flow of traffic and minimizes the risk of collisions. By increasing speed to match that of the vehicles already on the freeway, the driver can smoothly integrate into the traffic pattern, reducing the chances of disrupting the flow and ensuring both the driver’s safety and the safety of others. The other options are less effective and could be hazardous. Decelerating and yielding to oncoming traffic would create a situation where the merging driver might be stranded at the end of the ramp, potentially causing a traffic hazard. Stopping before entering the freeway would also create significant risk, as it would likely lead to abrupt stopping in an area where traffic is moving at high speeds, creating a collision risk. Merging at a slower speed can lead to situations where other drivers have to brake or maneuver to avoid a collision, which can create unsafe conditions on the freeway. Therefore, accelerating to match traffic speed is the safest and most effective practice when merging onto a freeway.