Every Tuesday, the Yakima Police Department shares important traffic tips to help drivers navigate the roads safely. This week’s focus is on an important aspect of Washington State law: drivers merging onto a highway are required to yield to vehicles already traveling on it.
A LOT OF DRIVERS BELIEVE OTHERWISE
Despite this state law, many drivers wrongly believe that vehicles on the freeway must yield or move over for merging traffic. While it is nice that many freeway drivers practice courtesy by changing lanes, it is not mandated by law.
SO WHAT TO DO? YAKIMA POLICE OFFER SIMPLE TIPS
To enhance safety for all road users, Yakima police authorities have outlined several key tips for drivers merging onto freeways in the Yakima Valley and across Washington State:
Adjust Your Speed: As you approach the freeway, align your speed with the flow of existing traffic to ensure a smooth integration.
Signal and Enter: Use your turn signal to indicate your intent and merge at a speed that matches the surrounding vehicles.…