What should you check before merging onto an expressway?

Before merging onto an expressway, it is crucial to look for a safe gap in traffic and adjust your speed accordingly. This step is vital for ensuring that you can safely enter the flow of traffic without disrupting the movement of other vehicles. Expressways typically have higher speed limits, so aligning your speed with that of the traffic is essential for a smooth and safe merge.

Finding a safe gap allows you to integrate into the highway without causing sudden stops or hazards to other drivers, which is particularly important given the faster pace of expressway driving. By ensuring that there’s a clear and adequate space, you enhance your safety as well as that of other road users.

While checking for pedestrians, observing rearview mirrors for motorcycles, and ensuring headlights are on are all important safety practices in other contexts, they do not specifically address the primary need when merging onto an expressway. The focus while merging should primarily be on traffic patterns and speed alignment to ensure a safe transition onto the faster-moving road.