When driving on a highway, how should you react to merging traffic?

When encountering merging traffic on a highway, adjusting your speed to allow safe merging is the most appropriate response. This action demonstrates awareness of the dynamics of highway driving, where vehicles may need to enter the highway from on-ramps. By either slowing down or speeding up slightly, you create a gap that allows merging vehicles to find a space safely without disrupting the flow of traffic.

This approach promotes safety, as it helps maintain a steady flow of vehicles and minimizes the risk of collisions that could occur if drivers were to change lanes abruptly or fail to accommodate merging traffic effectively. It also encourages a cooperative driving environment, recognizing that other drivers also need to navigate the highway safely.

In contrast, changing lanes without signaling can be dangerous and is illegal, as it does not communicate your intentions to other drivers. Accelerating to outpace merging vehicles could create a hazardous situation, especially if the merging vehicle is unable to adjust its speed appropriately. Coming to a complete stop is also not advisable on a highway, as it can lead to rear-end collisions and disrupt the overall traffic flow.