Ohio Driver Misses Exit, Then Backs up on Interstate—Video Leaves People Stunned

Image Credit: Ohio Department of Transportation

Is it just us, or are we getting weekly reminders that some drivers just don’t have the judgment to be out there?

Last week, we covered a Florida man who backed down the road to get to AutoZone, claiming his car was stuck in reverse. That was already a strong entry in the “please don’t ever do this” category. This week, Ohio looked at that and said, “We see you, Florida… and we can do better.” Or worse. Definitely worse.

All jokes aside, please don’t do this.

This Is Exactly What Not To Do if You Miss Your Exit

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Video shared by the Ohio Department of Transportation shows a driver backing up on Interstate 270 in southeast Columbus after missing their exit. The footage, captured around 4:30 a.m. near U.S. 33, shows a white sedan with its hazard lights on reversing across a bridge while other traffic continues moving past. The driver backs up to reach the exit and then takes it.

It is the kind of move that feels like it saves a few seconds in the moment, while creating a situation where one unexpected move from another driver could turn it into something much worse. “Obviously, don’t do this,” an ODOT spokesperson said in a Facebook post sharing the video.

This Has Happened Before—and It Didn’t End Well

This is not the first time drivers in the Columbus area have made dangerous decisions after missing an exit. In one widely reported case from 2025, a driver stopped on Interstate 71 after missing an exit, triggering a chain-reaction crash. The incident was captured on video and later led to a guilty plea and a suspended license, according to reporting from WSYX.

Different situation, same idea. Trying to fix a missed exit in the moment instead of just taking the next one.

The Internet Had Thoughts

As you would expect, the video quickly drew reactions online, landing somewhere between disbelief and dark humor. One commenter put it plainly: “Taking the extra five minutes for the next exit is not gonna kill you, bro! Come on.” Another added, “That person risked his very life and others’ lives to save a few miles and minutes!”

Some leaned sarcastic: “At least they put on their emergency flashing lights! Doesn’t that make it legal?” while another joked, “Natural selection.” Others were just stunned: “That was hard to watch… How does one decide THIS was the solution?”

That is really the takeaway here. Missing an exit is normal. Everyone does it. Backing up on an interstate is not. It only takes one driver who is not expecting it, one second of hesitation, and this becomes a very different story.

Author: Michael Andrew

Michael is one of the founders of Guessing Headlights, a longtime car enthusiast whose childhood habit of guessing cars by their headlights with friends became the inspiration behind the site.

He has a soft spot for Jeeps, Corvettes, and street and rat rods. His daily driver is a Wrangler 4xe, and his current fun vehicle is a 1954 International R100. His taste leans toward the odd and overlooked, with a particular appreciation for pop-up headlights and T-tops, practicality be damned.

Michael currently works out of an undisclosed location, not for safety, but so he can keep his automotive opinions unfiltered and unapologetic.

He also maintains, loudly and proudly, that the so-called Malaise Era gets a bad rap. It produced some of the coolest cars ever, and he will die on that hill, probably while arguing about pop-up headlights

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