Final answer:
To safely move back onto the pavement after driving onto the shoulder at 40 MPH, you should keep moving at the current speed and steer gently back onto the road while signaling your intentions and ensuring it's safe to merge with traffic.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder while traveling at 40 MPH. The safe way to move back onto the pavement would be option d: Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement. It is crucial to avoid abrupt maneuvers, which include hard braking or sharp steering, as they can lead to loss of vehicle control, especially at high speeds. Instead, a smooth and gentle return to the lane is recommended to maintain control of the vehicle and ensure safety.
When dealing with such situations, it's also essential to continuously assess the traffic and ensure it is safe to merge back into the lanes. Furthermore, once you have decided to merge back onto the road, signal your intentions to other drivers to avoid confusion and potential collisions.