You are entering a California highway from an on-ramp. Who has the right-of-way?
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A.
Vehicles on the on-ramp because they are accelerating
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B.
Traffic already on the highway Correct
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C.
Whichever vehicle reaches the merge point first
The answer is "Traffic already on the highway"
Traffic already on the highway has the right-of-way over any driver coming up an on-ramp. Momentum reasoning drives A, arguing that a car building speed on the ramp has earned the merge, but the yield duty falls on the entering driver regardless.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Vehicles on the on-ramp because they are accelerating
Acceleration does not create right-of-way; the merging driver must yield to highway traffic. This answer argues from momentum rather than the yield duty that falls on the merging vehicle.
C. Whichever vehicle reaches the merge point first
First-to-reach settles some uncontrolled intersections, not a freeway on-ramp. This answer applies the surface-street 'whoever arrives first' habit to a freeway ramp situation.
This question tests your knowledge of Lane Changes & Merging in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Merging," p.23..
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