What is an acceleration lane?

An acceleration lane is specifically designed to assist vehicles in gaining speed in order to merge safely onto a freeway or highway. These lanes typically extend from the on-ramp and allow drivers to build up the necessary speed to match that of traffic on the main road, ensuring smooth merges and reducing the risk of collisions. By allowing vehicles to reach freeway speeds before entering the faster-moving traffic, acceleration lanes enhance safety for both merging vehicles and those already on the road.

Other options reflect different types of lanes and their purposes but do not accurately describe an acceleration lane. For instance, lanes meant for emergency vehicles, slow-moving vehicles, or exclusively for buses serve distinct functions that do not align with the purpose of facilitating a smooth and safe merge to freeway speeds.