What should you check before changing lanes?

Checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes is essential for safe driving. This practice ensures that you have a complete view of the surrounding area, which includes vehicles that may not be visible in your mirrors, particularly those in your blind spots. Side mirrors and the rearview mirror provide a view of traffic and obstacles approaching from behind, but they do not capture everything in your immediate vicinity.

By checking blind spots, you can identify any vehicles or pedestrians that might not be seen through your mirrors. This is especially important in situations where other drivers may be in adjacent lanes or where cyclists or pedestrians are present. This multi-faceted approach to checking your surroundings significantly reduces the risk of collisions when changing lanes.

Relying solely on the rearview mirror or side mirrors, or focusing only on pedestrians, does not provide a complete picture of the road conditions. Properly checking mirrors combined with looking over your shoulder for other vehicles enhances your awareness and ensures a much safer lane change.