What should you do before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, it is essential to check your mirrors and blind spots to ensure that the lane is clear and safe for your vehicle to move into. This practice helps you identify any vehicles or obstacles that may not be visible in your mirrors alone, particularly in the blind spots located to the sides and behind your vehicle.

Ensuring that you have a clear view of the road conditions around you minimizes the risk of accidents and enhances overall safety. Checking the mirrors allows you to assess traffic volume and speeds, while a glance at your blind spots ensures you do not miss any vehicles that could be in your way.

Consider the other options: speeding up to merge quickly can create unsafe driving conditions and increases the risk of a collision. Signaling only after changing lanes fails to communicate your intentions to other drivers, which is crucial for safe driving. Finally, relying solely on the rear-view mirror neglects blind spot checks, making it less effective in providing a full view of your surroundings.