The CDL driver commented on the Smart Drive Test YouTube channel that the crash he’d been involved in was the fault of the merging driver.

Being on the freeway, he HAD the “right-of-way.”

He explained to me through the comments that the police had charged the merging driver with “failing to give way.”

Looking back on this exchange some years later, I’m still of the same conviction: “the right-of-way is always given, it’s never taken!”

In other words, the driver on the freeway can only proceed if the way is clear…if the merging driver is far enough away to have “minimum safe distance” between your vehicle and theirs.

I told the CDL driver that he was accountable because truck drivers are held to a higher standard of care when operating a commercial vehicle.

If you as the driver on the freeway can move over one lane or slow down slightly, it helps to PREVENT a crash.

Not surprising, he left the channel because he didn’t get the support in his fight to be RIGHT!

But as I annoyingly tell my Mom: “Do you want to be right…or do you want to be happy?

Freeway Interchanges: More Than Just Merging Zones

When it comes to driving on the freeway, there’s a common misconception that crashes happen because someone isn’t following the rules, especially the concept of “right-of-way.”

In reality, driving safely on the freeway isn’t about who’s right or wrong: freeway merges are about PREVENTION.

Freeway interchanges, which are essentially intersections, are one of the most common places for crashes to occur.

These critical areas are where vehicles merge onto or off the freeway, creating the potential for accidents.

Interchanges, which include on- and off-ramps, are high-risk areas on the freeway, and the crashes that happen here are often preventable.

Whether you’re merging onto the freeway or navigating an off-ramp, these zones require heightened awareness.

Identifying the location of interchanges in advance can help you avoid collisions and position your vehicle more defensively.

You can easily spot interchanges by looking for overpasses, destination signs, mile markers, and the movement of traffic.

These clues let you know you’re approaching an interchange, and it’s time to start planning how to drive through it safely.

Once you’re aware of an interchange, it’s essential to stay alert, especially when other vehicles are merging or exiting.

See this video for more details on merging.

Merging Safely: The Responsibility is on the Merging Driver

Merging onto the freeway is one of the most challenging and potentially dangerous aspects of freeway driving.

And, unfortunately, it’s a common area for accidents. If you’re the one merging, remember that the responsibility to merge safely is on you.

Many crashes happen because the merging driver assumes the vehicle already on the freeway will move out of the way or speed up to allow them to enter.

However, this assisting action CANNOT be relied on by merging drivers.

In the crash below, if the voiceover on the video is correct, the pickup truck driver believed they had the right-of-way when merging onto the freeway.

However, as mentioned earlier, this is a dangerous misconception.

Merging drivers must adjust their speed to fit safely into traffic, while also making sure to check their blind areas and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

In the post on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @TenPassive commented on 29 March 2025:

I’ve been a line haul driver for 3 years in California. Semi-truck was going too fast and the black truck was obviously merging on his left side. 100% preventable. Semi/trucks fault.

How Drivers on the Freeway Can Help

Though the merging driver has the responsibility to merge safely, drivers already on the freeway can play a crucial role in preventing accidents.

If you notice a driver attempting to merge onto the freeway, you can help by moving over to the other lane or slowing down slightly to create space.

While this isn’t always necessary, especially if the merging driver has already entered the freeway and is in a safe spot, small gestures like this can make a big difference in preventing crashes. It’s important to be proactive, not just reactive.

In the post on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @Asylum_Core2 commented on 29 March 2025 :

A semi truck, especially if it’s loaded up, cannot just break [sic] on a dime, so the black pickup should have seen the huge truck was already there and slowed enough to allow it to safely pass and then merge. Darting out in front of a semi is extremely dangerous and this shows why.

Despite the comment from @Asylum_Core2, semi-trucks have incredible braking power.

Yes, no doubt, owing to their incredible size and weight, semi-trucks take longer to stop than a passenger vehicle.

Saying that however, semi-trucks have have both twice the number of brakes on the unit which can deliver way, way more braking force than hydraulic brakes on a passenger vehicle.

In terms of braking, it would have been easy for the semi-truck driver in the above crash to brake to avoid the crash with the merging pickup truck driver.

Scanning far down the road and maintaining space in front of your vehicle will allow freeway merges to be about prevention, rather than “who?” has the right-of-way.

Merging Behind Semi-Trucks

One crucial tip when merging onto the freeway is to plan to merge behind a semi-truck if one is in your lane.

Semi-trucks are often slower to accelerate, and they have larger blind spots.

Truck drivers, however, are held to a higher standard of care on the road.

They are trained to anticipate potential problems and create space for merging drivers.

This means you can often trust that a truck driver will maintain a safe distance and adjust their speed if necessary.

The “Right-of-Way” Myth and Prevention

When driving on the freeway, remember that driving and NOT crashing isn’t about who’s right: freeway merges are about prevention.

Crashes happen because of failure to anticipate and adjust for potential risks.

Freeway driving, especially in interchanges and merging zones, requires awareness, cooperation, and defensive driving. Instead of focusing on the concept of “right-of-way,” focus on what you can do to PREVENT a crash when merging onto a freeway.

When you’re merging, ensure you do so safely and responsibly.

If you’re already on the freeway, help others merge by adjusting your speed or lane position.

And always be mindful of large vehicles, like semi-trucks, which need extra space and time to maneuver.

By driving with prevention in mind, you can avoid dangerous situations and keep yourself and others safe on the road.