What must you do before merging onto a freeway?

Before merging onto a freeway, it is crucial to use mirrors and check blind spots to ensure it is safe to merge into the traffic. This step is vital for several reasons. First, freeways often have higher speed limits, and vehicles are typically traveling at fast speeds. By checking mirrors and blind spots, drivers can gauge the speed and distance of other vehicles, ensuring that there is a safe gap for merging without causing potential accidents or disrupting the flow of traffic.

Additionally, this practice is part of safe driving habits and defensive driving techniques, enabling drivers to be aware of their surroundings and make informed decisions. Ignoring this step could lead to dangerous situations, such as collisions or forcing other drivers to react abruptly, which increases the risk of accidents.

Having your headlights on, while important for visibility, is not the primary concern when merging; it is more about ensuring that you can safely enter the roadway. Accelerating quickly without looking or signaling but not checking for vehicles are both risky actions that can endanger not just the merging driver but also other road users. Therefore, employing proper techniques by checking mirrors and blind spots is the best preparation before merging onto a freeway.