When merging onto a highway from an on-ramp, what is the proper technique?

HIGHWAY MERGING requires speed matching and gap selection — the two skills that determine whether a merge is safe or dangerous. WHY SPEED MATCHING IS CRITICAL: The purpose of the acceleration lane (on-ramp) is to allow you to reach highway speed BEFORE entering the highway. A vehicle merging at 40 mph into 65 mph traffic creates a moving hazard — following drivers must brake sharply; a merge at similar speeds minimizes speed differential and allows smooth entry. PROPER TECHNIQUE: (1) OBSERVE while on the ramp: look ahead to the highway and identify a gap in traffic (a space with enough room for your vehicle); (2) ACCELERATE in the acceleration lane to near highway speed; (3) SIGNAL: turn on your turn signal to indicate intent to merge; (4) SHOULDER CHECK: glance over your left shoulder to confirm your mirrors haven't missed a vehicle; (5) MERGE into the identified gap when at appropriate speed; (6) CANCEL SIGNAL: turn off signal after merging. RIGHT-OF-WAY NOTE: Highway traffic generally has right-of-way over merging vehicles, but experienced highway drivers should yield space when safe to do so; this is courtesy, not law in most states; do NOT count on highway drivers to yield — be responsible for finding your own gap. DO NOT STOP: Stopping at the end of an on-ramp is extremely dangerous — rear-end collision risk from vehicles behind you on the ramp; stops also force you to merge from 0 mph into high-speed traffic.