What should you do if you miss a turn but realize your error well ahead?

• A. Do not abruptly stop or back up; continue to the next safe exit or turn, use a safe U-turn if legal.
• B. Stop immediately and back up to the missed turn.
• C. Make a risky U-turn wherever possible.
• D. Stop in the middle of traffic to reassess.

Answer: (A)

When you realize you’ve missed a turn well ahead, the safest plan is to keep moving to the next safe exit or turn and, if allowed, perform a legal, safe U-turn there. Stopping abruptly or backing up in the roadway creates a high risk of a collision with vehicles behind you or in adjacent lanes, and it blocks traffic. A risky U-turn in an inappropriate spot can put you into oncoming traffic, into driveways, or into areas where the maneuver is illegal. Stopping in the middle of traffic to reassess also creates a dangerous hazard for yourself and other drivers. By proceeding to the next safe opportunity and turning around in a legal, safe manner, you maintain proper lane positioning, keep traffic flowing, and reduce risk.