Breakdowns, fog and work zones on interstates

Key points

1. Shoulders on interstates are only for disabled vehicles.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “Shoulders on interstates are to be used only for disabled vehicles.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

2. Headlights must be turned on during adverse conditions.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “headlights must be turned on during adverse conditions.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

3. If your vehicle breaks down, move far off the road, turn on the four way flashers, and get everyone out and away from the road.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “If your vehicle becomes disabled, move as far off the road as possible, turn on your four-way flashers to indicate your vehicle is stopped, and get everyone out of the vehicle and well away from the road.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

4. Put one flare about 1 vehicle length behind your vehicle and another about 300 feet back.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “Put a flare about one (1) vehicle length behind your vehicle and another about 300 feet back.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

5. In very dense fog, it may be better to leave the interstate for slower roads.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “If the fog is very dense, it may be better to leave the interstate and use the slower roads to reach your destination.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

6. In construction zones, obey special speed limits, traffic control signs and flaggers.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “Observe and obey special speed limits, traffic control signs, and flaggers.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

7. If a lane is closed, move to the open lane as soon as possible instead of at the last minute.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “You should move over to the open lane as soon as possible. Avoid waiting until the last minute to change lanes.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. What should you do if your vehicle becomes disabled on an Interstate?

   1. Park in an exit gore so other drivers can see you
   2. Leave the vehicle in the travel lane with the headlights off
   3. Stop on the shoulder and use the vehicle for a reading or map break
   4. Move as far off the road as possible and turn on the four-way flashers
   Show answer

   Move as far off the road as possible and turn on the four-way flashers. A disabled vehicle should be moved as far off the road as possible, with the four-way flashers turned on to show that it is stopped. The handbook also advises getting everyone out and well away from the road. Interstate shoulders are for disabled vehicles, not for reading, changing drivers, or other ordinary stops, and an exit gore is a dangerous triangular area where another driver may cross unexpectedly. The key cue is visibility plus distance: warn approaching traffic and put people away from moving vehicles.

2. 2. If a lane closes in an interstate construction zone, when should a driver move into the open lane?

   1. At the last possible moment beside the barricade
   2. As soon as possible after the advance signs provide notice
   3. Only after entering the closed lane completely
   4. After stopping in the closed lane to wait for a gap
   Show answer

   As soon as possible after the advance signs provide notice. The handbook says that construction-zone signs will identify a closed lane well in advance and directs drivers to move into the open lane as soon as possible. Waiting until the last moment can force a sudden merge, surprise workers, or create a line of stopped traffic. Entering the closed lane is not a required step, and stopping there can expose the vehicle to approaching traffic or equipment. Read the advance signs, reduce speed, signal early, and merge smoothly when a safe opening appears.

3. 3. What should a driver do on an Interstate when a lane is closed in a construction zone?

   1. Use the median crossover to avoid the work area
   2. Maintain normal speed because construction signs are only advisory
   3. Obey the special signs, speed limits, and flagger directions
   4. Stop on the shoulder until all construction equipment leaves
   Show answer

   Obey the special signs, speed limits, and flagger directions. Interstate construction zones may close lanes and cause traffic to slow or stop. Drivers must observe special speed limits, traffic-control signs, and flaggers, then merge to the open lane when directed. The normal speed choice ignores the changed roadway and leaves less time to react around workers and equipment. Median crossovers are not a general detour, and the shoulder is not a waiting area for ordinary construction delays. Treat the work zone as an active safety area, scan ahead, and make each adjustment early.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VII: Driving On Interstates. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.