Driving & Driving Test Tips: merging onto highways, road space, oncoming traffic

Question
Hi,
What is the proper technique for merging onto a highway?Some people shoot out with no regard to oncoming traffic and some people stop before proceeding(person behind you is right on your bumper).
How does one easily glide into the traffic without going into panic at the speeding traffic already on the highway.I get a lot of anxiety about merging.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Joanne,

Basically, before merging you need to make sure of a couple of things. If there is sufficent road space on the ramp. The best way is to match the speed of the traffic you are trying to merge with. If you can imagine the traffic on the high way is traveling at 55mph and you are traveling at 35 mph then your more than likely going to encounter problems as vehicles behind will be gaining on you at 20mph, which doesn't sound a lot but when it is happening it is very quick. By matching their speed you will have more time to complete the manouvre.

The best advice I can offer is to take an experianced driver out with you (maybe a family member or a friend) for moral support. Whoever you choose make sure it is sombody you are comfortable with. If you are still not confidant after this you could consider hiring a professional driving tutor for an hour or so, to give you some advanced driving lessons on highway roads.

To gain your licence you were given the knowledge to drive safely on the roads but you never stop learning. Everytime you drive you are building your experiance and everytime you join a highway you will gain more experiance until you get to the stage that you wonder what all the fuss was about.

I hope I have been of some help and don't hesitate contacting me for more information,

Paul