Chicago Police Department (CPD) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPD Practice Questions and Study Guide

Merging traffic refers to the situation where two or more lanes of vehicles come together into one lane. It typically involves both vehicles adjusting their speed and positions laterally to safely combine into a single traffic stream. This process requires drivers to be attentive and make decisions that will allow for a smooth transition of traffic without causing collisions.

In this context, drivers need to communicate through signals and be aware of the space available to them, ensuring they do not impede the flow of traffic or create hazards. The adjustment in speed is crucial to match the pace of the traffic they are merging into, while lateral positioning involves safely entering the lane without disrupting the vehicles that are already in that lane.

The other choices do not capture the full essence of merging traffic. While vehicles may sometimes move at the same speed or one vehicle might yield to another, these conditions do not specifically define the concept of merging, which inherently involves the cooperation and adjustment of multiple vehicles converging into a shared pathway. Traffic that includes only public transport does not relate to the concept of merging, as merging can occur with any type of vehicle on the road.