damn so much beef going around... as for merging just do it adjust according to traffic.
if traffic is flowing then gradually speed up to highway speeds, while on ramp, and merge accordingly. If there is a car on the highway going traveling at the same pace as you slow down a bit and merge in behind him. if they're a decent distance away from the ramp entrance then speed up so when you get on the highway they don't have to slam on their brakes and almost rear end you.
if traffic is pretty heavy then enter the ramp at a less rapid speed. adjust to the highway.
i have seen cars backed up at entrance ramp so many times because one person didn't TIME their entrance well and end up coming to a full stop. once you come to that stop at the 'yield' sign ur pretty much fucked. cause ur trying to merge with cars that are going 60-70 mph while your at a full stop. even if your on a bike, it'll be pretty damn hard to get up to those speeds and merge with cars going fast.
with everything said everyone is familiar the laws and everyone can read the damn speed limit signs or yield signs. however, most people realize that laws aren't all that practical and we all have our own set of laws and methods of driving. for example, i normally don't speed but on mass pike everyone goes like 70-80 even with the posted speed at 65. so what do i do? i follow the flow of traffic. any faster and you'll start seeing red and blue, any slower and u'll be getting run off the road/honked at/get passed while getting dirty looks/u get the point.
just chill with the hateful comments and adjust to traffic! :cheers:
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edit: sorry if i repeated anything someone else said, i was probably typing this up while you made your responses.