Which of the following describes the correct action if you miss your highway exit?

• A. Back up to reach the exit.
• B. Stop on the shoulder and reverse onto the ramp.
• C. Do not back up; continue to the next exit and safely re-enter.
• D. Make a U-turn across the median.

Answer: (C)

Missing a highway exit means you shouldn’t back up on the roadway. Backing up on an expressway or ramp is extremely dangerous and illegal in many places because drivers behind you won’t expect sudden movement, increasing the risk of a serious crash. The safest approach is to continue to the next exit, slow down, signal, and then re-enter the highway from the proper entrance ramp after you’ve planned a safe route. Stopping on the shoulder and reversing onto the ramp creates a hazard for approaching traffic and is not a permitted maneuver. A U-turn across the median is also unsafe and typically illegal on divided highways, since you’d be introducing high-speed, oncoming traffic to a reversal. By not backing up and proceeding to the next exit to re-enter safely, you avoid dangerous maneuvers and stay within the rules of the road.