What should a driver do before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, it is essential for a driver to check mirrors and blind spots for other vehicles. This practice ensures that the driver is aware of their surroundings and can make safe lane changes. Mirrors provide a view of the vehicles behind and to the sides of the car, while checking blind spots helps identify vehicles that may not be visible in the mirrors, such as those alongside the driver's vehicle.

Ensuring that the lane is clear helps prevent collisions and enhances the safety of the maneuver. Additionally, this practice allows the driver to anticipate the presence of other road users, including motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians that might be in the immediate vicinity. It is critical for maintaining a safe driving environment and is a key component of defensive driving strategies.

This approach is contrasted with the notion of accelerating to quickly move into the lane, which can lead to unsafe conditions if the driver has not adequately assessed the surrounding traffic. Signaling only after changing lanes disregards the importance of notifying other drivers, making the maneuver less predictable and potentially hazardous. Similarly, solely relying on rearview mirrors omits crucial information from blind spots, which can lead to dangerous situations when changing lanes.