New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsMedium
You are driving on a multi-lane highway and need to exit on the right. You are currently in the far left lane. What is the safest and most appropriate action to take?
- ASlow down and wait for a break in traffic to merge right one lane at a time, if time and space permit.
- BProceed past the exit and take the next available exit, then find an alternate route.
- CSignal immediately and quickly move across all lanes to reach the exit.
- DIncrease your speed significantly to get ahead of traffic and merge right.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Proceed past the exit and take the next available exit, then find an alternate route.
If you miss your exit or are unable to safely change lanes in time, it is always safer to continue to the next exit and find an alternate route rather than making dangerous, last-minute lane changes or cutting across traffic.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While merging one lane at a time is the correct way to change lanes, if you are in the far left lane and the exit is imminent on the right, there often isn't enough time or space to do this safely, making proceeding to the next exit the better option.
- C. Quickly cutting across multiple lanes is extremely dangerous and can lead to collisions.
- D. Increasing speed to force a merge is aggressive and unsafe driving behavior.
Missed Exit Procedure
If you realize you cannot safely reach your intended exit, the safest procedure is to continue driving to the next exit and find an alternate route, rather than making abrupt or dangerous maneuvers.
- Do not make sudden lane changes.
- Do not stop or back up on the highway.
- Proceed to the next exit.
- Re-route using a map or GPS.
Memory trick: Better to be late than in a wreck, just keep driving to the next exit.