Leaving the freeway and freeway emergencies

Getting off at the right place takes planning and close attention to signs. If you break down, you need to get safely out of traffic and signal for help.

Leaving the freeway:

Plan ahead and watch the signs closely
Move into the proper lane well in advance
Signal your turn and move into the deceleration lane
Reduce your speed as you prepare to enter the exit ramp
Be ready to yield or stop where the ramp meets the intersecting road

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Leaving the freeway — Leaving a freeway: move into the deceleration lane before slowing

Know the rule

Never reduce speed suddenly on the freeway itself.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

If you miss your exit, don't stop, back up or try to turn around. Go on to the next exit and come back.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

In a breakdown, park entirely off the traveled roadway and stay with your vehicle if at all possible.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Distress signals for a disabled vehicle:

Open the trunk
Raise the hood, if weather permits
Tie a white cloth to a door handle or antenna where it can best be seen

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Know the rule

Parking on the freeway is not permitted except in an emergency.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

*HP (*47)

Toll-free cell-phone number for Alabama State Troopers: emergencies, crashes and drunk drivers

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Know the rule

There are no service stations directly on freeways. Before a trip, plan where to get on and off, and check your fuel, water and oil.

Handbook p. 83 ↗

Put it into practice

You notice your exit sign just as you pass the ramp. Don't brake hard, stop or back up. Continue to the next exit, get off there, and come back to the exit you missed.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What should you do if you miss your intended freeway exit?

Stop and back up to the exit
Pull onto the median and wait
Make a U-turn on the shoulder
Go on to the next exit and come back

Answer: Go on to the next exit and come back

If you miss your exit, you must not stop, back up, or try to turn around; instead proceed to the next exit.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

How should you prepare to exit a freeway?

Move to the proper lane early and signal
Wait until the exit sign before moving over
Brake hard right at the exit ramp
Cut across all lanes at the last moment

Answer: Move to the proper lane early and signal

Preparing for your exit means moving into the proper lane well in advance and signaling your turn.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Should you ever reduce speed suddenly while still on the freeway mainline?

Only when traffic is light
Yes, always brake hard before your exit
No, never
Yes, as soon as you see your exit sign

Answer: No, never

The handbook warns never to reduce speed suddenly on the freeway; instead, slow gradually in the deceleration lane.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

You must not back up on a freeway, even if you've missed your exit.

True
False

Answer: True

The handbook explicitly says not to back up if you miss your exit; proceed to the next one instead.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

What toll-free number can Alabama motorists dial on a cell phone to reach the State Troopers for a freeway emergency?

*FHP (*347)
*HP (*47)
*55
911 only

Answer: *HP (*47)

The handbook lists *HP (or *47) as the toll-free number to reach Alabama State Troopers for highway emergencies.

Handbook p. 78 ↗

Besides parking entirely off the road in a breakdown, what visible signal should you use to show distress on a freeway?

Leave your high beams on
Place the spare tire behind the car
Raise the hood and tie on a white cloth
Stand on the shoulder and wave

Answer: Raise the hood and tie on a white cloth

Open the trunk, raise the hood if weather permits, and tie a white cloth to a door handle or antenna as a distress signal.

Handbook p. 78 ↗