May 1999

Pop quiz

You're merging onto the Interstate where the posted speed limit is 70 mph
(or 112.7 km/h).  Which of the following best describes the correct way to
merge onto a highway?

1)  Accelerate down the on ramp so that your speed matches the flow of
traffic, check your mirrors and over your shoulder for an opening while doing
so, then proceed to merge onto the highway.

2)  Do not accelerate down the on ramp; drive at the same speed as you
would while driving through a residential neighborhood.  Wait until you're
nearly at the end of the on ramp, then slam on your brakes and come to
a DEAD STOP before you even bother to check for an opening in traffic,
as demonstrated by the dingleberry in the picture shown above.

(The correct answer is . . . ugh, heaven help us all if you need me to tell you the correct answer.)