Merging and Exiting

Merging

Highway traffic has the right-of-way. For more information, see Right-of-Way Rules: Who Goes First in Section 7. When you enter a highway, you will need to:

• Be in the proper lane on the on-ramp.
• Be at or near the speed of traffic.
• Merge into highway traffic when safe to do so. Do not stop unless absolutely necessary.
• Merge into a space large enough for your vehicle to safely join the lane.
• Use your mirrors and turn signals.
• Turn your head quickly to look over your shoulder before changing lanes or merging into traffic.
• Make sure you can stop safely by leaving three seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Make sure you do not cross over any solid lines when merging. If you need to cross several lanes, signal and cross them one at a time. Check your blind spots for vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians each time.

Exiting

To exit a highway safely:

• Know your exit and be aware of when it is approaching.
• If you plan to change lanes, do so one at a time. Signal and look over your shoulder to check your blind spots.
• When in the proper lane, signal five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before you exit.
• Make sure you are at a safe speed to exit.
• Do not cross over any solid lines when exiting.

Crossing or Entering Traffic

When entering traffic from a full stop, signal and leave a large enough space to get up to the speed of traffic. To merge, enter, or exit traffic, you need a space that is:

• Half a block on city streets, which is about 150 feet.
• A full block on the highway, which is about 300 feet.

Even if you have a green light, do not start across the intersection if there are pedestrians or vehicles blocking your pathway.

When turning left, do not assume that an oncoming vehicle with its right turn signal on is turning before it reaches you. The driver may have their signal on by mistake or plan to turn just beyond you. Wait for the vehicle to start its turn before beginning the left turn.