What should you do before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, it is vital to ensure that it is safe to do so without disrupting the flow of traffic or risking a collision. The best practice involves a comprehensive approach: checking mirrors, signaling your intent, and looking over your shoulder.

Checking mirrors is important for assessing the traffic conditions behind and beside your vehicle. However, mirrors can have blind spots—areas that are not visible in the mirrors. This is where the additional step of looking over your shoulder comes in. By physically looking over your shoulder, you are compensating for these blind spots and gaining a clearer view of any vehicles or obstacles that may be present.

Additionally, signaling your intent to change lanes is crucial for communicating with other drivers. It allows those around you to anticipate your movements, which contributes to overall road safety.

This methodical approach minimizes the risk of accidents, making it the safest and most responsible choice when changing lanes.