Driving skills syllabus

24   Higher-speed areas – merge onto a motorway or highway

Aim

• To legally and safely merge onto a motorway or highway, via a merge lane or from the kerb.

Situation

• In a 70–100 km/h zone.
• Either:
  1. parked on the side of the road on a two-way highway, or
  2. in a merge lane for a multi-laned motorway.

The driver should

1. When parked on the side of the road:
   • Search ahead and to the rear, using mirrors both inside and outside.
   • Indicate right for at least three seconds before moving.
   • Check the mirrors again and check the blind spot with a head check over right shoulder.
   • Select an appropriate gap.
   • When safe to go, accelerate quickly to an appropriate speed to merge with the traffic, while remaining within the posted speed limit.
   • Check appropriate mirrors.
2. From a merge lane:
   • Use the full length of the merge lane to adjust speed to match the speed of the traffic flow, while remaining within the posted speed limit.
   • Indicate right for at least three seconds before merging (while in the merge lane).
   • Search for an appropriate gap in the traffic.
   • Move into the gap when safe.
   • Get into a correct position in the traffic flow and stay at a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front (at least two seconds behind).
   • Check appropriate mirrors.
   • Perform the tasks at least two times.

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Last updated: 30 April 2009