Which action is recommended before merging onto a freeway?

Before merging onto a freeway, checking your mirrors and blind spots is crucial for ensuring safety. This action allows you to assess the speed and position of other vehicles in the adjacent lanes and behind you. Being aware of your surroundings is essential to safely integrate into the fast-moving traffic of a freeway.

While matching your speed with the flow of traffic is critical for a smooth merge, doing so without first checking your mirrors and blind spots could lead to dangerous situations if another vehicle is occupying the space you plan to enter. Signaling and slightly reducing speed might also impair the merging process if done without prior awareness of other vehicles. Lastly, approaching the ramp at a sharp angle can be risky and may hinder your ability to make a safe merge. Therefore, checking mirrors and blind spots is the best preparatory action to ensure a safe and effective merge onto the freeway.