Roadwise States Minnesota Driving lessons Interchanges, freeway stops and exits Minnesota driving lesson · Driving Conditions
Interchanges, freeway stops and exits A 4-minute lesson from the Minnesota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 4 minutes
Course unit Driving Conditions
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 78, 80, 81 Leaving the freeway, stopping in an emergency and handling emergency vehicles all have strict rules. The biggest one: never back up or turn around on a freeway.
Diverging diamond interchange An interchange where lanes cross over at each end of the bridge, so you veer left for access instead of turning left across opposing traffic.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Why diverging diamonds are safer Fewer conflict points, spread throughout the interchange Longer sight distance at turns Wrong-way entry to ramps is extremely difficult Shorter pedestrian crossings, with walkers between protective barriers mid-bridge Overall traffic delays cut by up to 60 percent Handbook p. 80 ↗ Know the rule
It's illegal to stop or park on an interstate except in an emergency. Running out of fuel is not an emergency and can get you a citation.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ If you must stop for an emergency Park on the shoulder as far from the roadway as possible Open the trunk and raise the hood, or tie a white cloth to the antenna or a door handle Use your hazard warning lights Place flares or reflectors 100 to 500 feet behind the vehicle on the right edge Stay with your vehicle if possible Never walk in the lanes reserved for traffic — it's illegal and extremely dangerous Handbook p. 80 ↗ Know the rule
Backing up or turning around on a freeway is illegal, except for emergency and road repair vehicles doing their jobs.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Know the rule
If an ambulance, fire truck or police car has flashing lights on the shoulder, move a lane away if safe, or slow down. If one approaches with lights and siren, signal, move to the nearest side and stop without slamming the brakes or swerving; stay stopped until it passes and check for more.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Know the rule
Know your exit before you start. Signal, move into the deceleration lane and slow down there, not in the traffic lane. If you miss your exit, go on to the next one — never back up or make a U-turn.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Know the rule
After a crash with injuries, stay where you are and call 911 if able. If there's only property damage, move to a safe place before getting out, exchange license and insurance information, write down plate numbers, and call police if necessary.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Caretaker record A note in your DVS records telling police you care for someone at home, so if you're in a crash they can make sure that person isn't left alone.
Handbook p. 81 ↗ Put it into practice
You miss your exit by a few yards. Don't back up on the shoulder or cut across the median — continue to the next exit and come back.
A useful reminder Flares go 100 to 500 feet behind your car, on the right edge of the road.
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.
A diverging diamond interchange can reduce overall traffic delays by up to what percentage? 10 percent 90 percent 60 percent 30 percent Answer: 60 percent
Diverging diamond interchanges can reduce overall traffic delays by up to 60 percent.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Is running out of fuel on a freeway considered an emergency that allows you to stop there? Yes, it always counts Yes, if you use hazard lights Yes, if you stay with the car No, it isn't an emergency Answer: No, it isn't an emergency
Running out of fuel does not count as an emergency, and stopping for it could result in a citation.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ If you must stop on a freeway shoulder due to an emergency, where should you place flares or reflectors? 100 to 500 feet behind, on the right edge 10 to 50 feet behind, on the shoulder 500 to 1,000 feet behind, in the lane Beside the vehicle on the traffic side Answer: 100 to 500 feet behind, on the right edge
Flares or reflectors should be placed 100 to 500 feet behind the vehicle on the right edge of the road.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Is it legal to back up on a freeway if you miss your exit? Yes, if no other traffic is nearby No, it is illegal to back up on a freeway Yes, but only on the shoulder Yes, if you use your hazard lights Answer: No, it is illegal to back up on a freeway
Backing up on a freeway is illegal; you must proceed to the next exit instead.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Which drivers are allowed to back up or turn around on a freeway as an exception to the general rule? Drivers who missed their exit Commercial truck drivers Emergency and road repair vehicle drivers Drivers with hazard lights on Answer: Emergency and road repair vehicle drivers
Only emergency and road repair vehicle drivers may back up or turn around on a freeway, and only as needed for their duties.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ It is legal to stop on an interstate freeway if you simply run out of fuel. True False Answer: False
Running out of fuel is not considered an emergency that allows stopping on the freeway.
Handbook p. 80 ↗ Previous lesson Entering and driving on the freeway Next lesson Distracted and aggressive driving More in Driving Conditions About the source Roadwise’s Minnesota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 78, 80, 81. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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