How to safely merge lanes in Australia

When behind the wheel, few things can cause frustration as easily as poor merging and impolite lane etiquette. We take a look at the best practices.

A left lane ends on a dual carriage country road

It is one of the most common procedures on Australian roads, but even so, merging can occasionally cause confusion. It could be anything from joining a motorway or merging from two lanes into one, but the rules can differ depending on the road markings.

Here, we narrow in on the best lane merging practices depending on the type of situation you are in.

Who should give way during lane merges in Australia?

When merging into another lane, you must give way to anyone that’s in the lane you’re moving into and it’s important that you indicate for a reasonable amount of time to warn other people that you intend to cross into their lane.
If you are joining a roadway and there are no lines marked at the merge point, it is known as a ‘zip merge’. In this scenario, the car in front has right of way, no matter whether it is in the left or right lane, and the car further back should give way. Don’t forget your indicator!

Conversely, where a merging vehicle must cross a dashed line, such as on a freeway entry ramp, the vehicle crossing the line must give way to cars already in the lane.

The basic rules when merging into another lane

Freeway on-ramps in Australia are designed so merging cars can get up to freeway speed, making them less disruptive to traffic flow. If you’re about to enter a freeway, wait for a safe gap. Already on the freeway? Help out other drivers by giving them space to enter if it’s safe.
Be sure to match the legal speed of the road you’re merging into. Strolling onto a 100km/h freeway doing 40km/h isn’t just dangerous for you, it’s also dangerous for those travelling on the freeway.
Always check your mirrors and blind spots before merging.

Handy Tip:

To avoid a merging mishap, ease off the accelerator and cars should naturally flow in front of each other, one by one, like a zipper.

What not to do when merging into another lane

Avoid stopping in the merging lane, particularly when entering freeways. If you stop, you’ll lose speed and it'll be difficult to find a gap large enough for your to gain momentum.
When leaving a freeway or road with an off ramp or separate turning lane, don’t slow down until you’ve entered that lane – they’re designed to be entered at the speed limit.
When turning left into a multi-lane road that has a merging lane, use it. Don’t wait to cross over to the lane you want to be in.
Never merge into another lane by crossing a solid line or where there is a painted traffic island.
Don’t lose your cool. Stay calm.

Whether you’re the one merging or someone else is merging into your lane, courtesy should be the watchword. Changing lanes or slowing down a touch to create a bigger gap at a motorway on-ramp will make life easier for everyone and ensure smooth traffic flow. Conversely, accelerating so you arrive first at a zip merge is both dangerous and discourteous.

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