When merging onto the freeway, what should your speed be relative to the traffic?

When merging onto the freeway, the most effective and safe approach is to match your speed to that of the traffic already on the freeway. By traveling at or near the same speed as the surrounding vehicles, you reduce the likelihood of creating dangerous situations or causing potential accidents. This practice allows for smoother merges and helps maintain the flow of traffic, as it enables you to enter the highway more seamlessly without forcing other drivers to adjust their speed significantly.

Choosing to drive significantly slower than the traffic can increase the risk of collisions as it creates unexpected hazards for those already traveling at higher speeds. Conversely, merging at a much higher speed than the surrounding cars can also lead to dangerous situations, as it may surprise other drivers and potentially lead to conflicts. While staying below the maximum speed limit may seem reasonable, it is more important to focus on the relative speed of traffic to ensure safe and effective merging.