When exiting a highway you should
When exiting a highway you should begin preparing well before the off-ramp, not at the last moment. The place where you get off the highway demands a controlled reduction in speed, a clean lane change into the deceleration lane, and careful adjustment to the slower travel conditions of the surface road. Executing this route segment safely requires reading traffic signs, understanding lane layout, and respecting the road classification change from controlled-access freeway to ordinary street. The goal is to leave the highway without disrupting faster traffic while positioning your vehicle for the exit's curve, intersection, or toll point.
Direct answer
The essential answer is to signal early, move into the designated exit lane when it begins, and slow down only after fully entering the deceleration lane. Braking on the main highway before reaching the off-ramp creates a dangerous speed differential with through traffic. Instead, maintain cruising speed, check your mirrors, and merge smoothly into the lane layout that leads to the exit. The access restriction separating the freeway from the ramp marks the point where you can safely begin your planned speed reduction.
Once on the ramp, adjust your speed by reading the posted advisory limit and the curvature ahead. A ramp that feels comfortable at highway speed can tighten suddenly, so gradual braking or releasing the accelerator is safer than a late, hard stop. Watch for a merge area or traffic signal at the bottom, where the route segment joins surface streets. Your final speed should match the new road classification, letting you enter the intersection or cross-street flow without forcing other drivers to brake.