Alberta Class 7 License Practice Test

What is the first step in safely exiting a highway?

1. Signal your intentions

2. Slow down and check your mirrors

3. Merge into the acceleration lane

4. Stop at the shoulder

The correct answer is: Signal your intentions

The first step in safely exiting a highway is to signal your intentions. By using your turn signal, you communicate to other drivers that you plan to leave the highway. This is crucial for maintaining safety as it allows other vehicles to anticipate your actions, creating a smoother transition for everyone on the road. Signaling alerts those behind you and alongside you, providing them with the understanding that they need to adjust their speed or position accordingly. The other actions, while important, follow after you have communicated your intentions to exit. Slow down and checking mirrors are essential practices but they occur after signaling. Merging into the acceleration lane typically relates to entering the highway rather than exiting, and stopping at the shoulder is not an advisable practice for exiting a highway safely. This could lead to dangerous situations involving both you and other drivers. Therefore, signaling should always be the initial action taken when preparing to exit a highway.