Washington Written Drivers Permit Practice Test

How should you navigate a freeway entrance ramp?

1. Accelerate to match the speed of traffic and merge safely

2. Come to a complete stop at the ramp

3. Merge quickly without looking

4. Drive as slow as possible to yield to other vehicles

The correct answer is: Accelerate to match the speed of traffic and merge safely

Navigating a freeway entrance ramp involves safely merging into the flow of traffic, which is why accelerating to match the speed of traffic and merging safely is the correct approach. When entering a freeway, it is critical to increase your speed in the acceleration lane, which allows you to align yourself with the speed of vehicles already on the freeway. This action ensures a smooth transition and reduces the risk of disrupting the flow of traffic. A gradual acceleration helps maintain safety, as sudden stops or slow speeds can lead to accidents if drivers behind are not prepared to react quickly. It's important to pay attention to the traffic you are merging into, checking for gaps, and signaling appropriately to communicate your intentions to other drivers. Making a complete stop at the ramp can create bottlenecks or hazardous situations, especially if other vehicles do not expect a stopped car in the acceleration lane. Merging quickly without looking would increase the risk of collisions, as it disregards the necessity of checking your surroundings for other vehicles. Finally, driving as slow as possible undermines the purpose of the acceleration lane and can create hazards by forcing other drivers to adjust suddenly to your speed. Hence, safely matching the speed of traffic is key for ensuring your own safety and that of others on the road.