SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drive-wrong-way-sign

You pass a red sign with white letters saying WRONG WAY. What should you do?

Back out or turn around as soon as it is safe.

  1. Keep going to the next exit
  2. Back out or turn around when safe ✔
  3. Speed up to get off quickly

Why: WRONG WAY means you have entered a one-way road or ramp against traffic. Stop going forward, then safely back out or turn around.

Huh, didn't know that: WRONG WAY signs are placed farther along the road than DO NOT ENTER signs, as a second warning.

The dad joke
Why did the WRONG WAY sign blush? It saw a car making a big U-turn.
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References

Answer: Back out or turn around when safe. WRONG WAY means you have entered a one-way road or ramp against traffic. Stop going forward, then safely back out or turn around.

  1. California Driver's Handbook, Section 7 www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road
    When it is safe, back out or turn around.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.47 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Editionr1/mutcd11theditionr1hl.pdf
    If used, the WRONG WAY sign should be placed at a location along the one-way roadway farther from the crossroad than the DO NOT ENTER sign
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

Cars & DrivingWhich sign is the only one shaped like an eight-sided octagon?Cars & DrivingA red and white triangle points down at you. What should you do?Cars & DrivingA sideways yellow triangle sign on the LEFT side of the road says what?

That's stuff everyone should know.