California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Rules of the Road and Right-of-WayHard
You are driving on a freeway and need to exit. You realize at the last moment that you are in the wrong lane and will miss your exit if you do not change lanes immediately. What is the safest and most appropriate action?
- AQuickly change lanes, signaling late if necessary, to make the exit.
- BBack up on the shoulder to get into the correct lane for the exit.
- CBrake hard and try to force your way into the exit lane.
- DProceed to the next exit and find an alternative route.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Proceed to the next exit and find an alternative route.
Missing an exit is inconvenient, but it is far safer to continue to the next exit and find an alternative route than to make sudden, dangerous lane changes or other illegal maneuvers that could cause a collision on the freeway.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Sudden lane changes are a major cause of freeway collisions and are extremely dangerous.
- B. Backing up on a freeway, even the shoulder, is illegal and exceptionally dangerous.
- C. Braking hard on a freeway is very dangerous and can cause a chain-reaction collision.
Missed Freeway Exit
If you miss your freeway exit, continue to the next exit and find an alternative route, do not make dangerous maneuvers.
- Prioritize safety over convenience.
- Never make sudden lane changes.
- Never back up on the freeway.
- Plan your route in advance to avoid missing exits.
Memory trick: Missed your exit? No sudden move, just drive on and improve.