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Brake The Habit: Stop Cutting Across Lanes for Exits
A look at how sudden lane-cutting for missed exits continues to be a common risk on Indian roads, why it endangers everyone, and how planning lane changes in advance can reduce crashes and improve daily road safety.
Times Drive Desk
Updated Nov 20, 2025, 10:21 PM IST
Brake The Habit: Stop Cutting Across Lanes for Exits
Cutting across lanes at the last moment to take an exit is a routine sight on highways and urban roads. Yet, road safety data continues to show that abrupt lane changes and panic braking contribute to a high number of crashes every year. The issue remains relevant as more vehicles enter the road network and traffic speeds increase.
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Many drivers and riders treat a missed exit as a mistake that must be fixed instantly. But sudden swerves leave very little reaction time for vehicles behind or beside them. Even at low speeds, an unexpected lane shift can trigger chain-reaction braking, collisions or near-misses.
Why Sudden Lane Changes Are Dangerous
Predictability is a key part of road safety. When one vehicle shifts sharply without warning, it disrupts the flow and forces others to make quick decisions. Heavy vehicles struggle to brake in time, two-wheelers may sit in blind spots, and buses or cars behind may not expect an abrupt move.
The danger is not limited to high-speed roads. In city traffic, abrupt moves force others to brake sharply or swerve, increasing the chance of minor crashes and injuries. Such incidents also add to congestion and create unsafe patterns for everyone on the road.
Planning Ahead Makes Roads Safer
Breaking the habit starts with simple behaviour. Checking signs early, keeping to the correct lane and accepting a missed exit as a minor delay can prevent serious consequences. Riders and drivers who plan ahead give others time to adjust, making the road environment more predictable.
Choosing safety over urgency sets a standard that others can follow. Every controlled movement, even at low speed, reduces the chance of sudden conflicts on the road.
A Small Change With Wider Impact
“Brake The Habit” encourages road users to recognise how everyday actions influence collective safety. Not cutting across lanes for exits is one such action. By avoiding last-second decisions, road users help create safer and calmer roads for everyone who shares them.
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