Which of these statements is true about changing lanes?
You only need to turn and look over your right shoulder for lane changes to the right or left.
Look over your right shoulder for a right lane change and your left shoulder for a left lane change.
Vehicles with two outside mirrors do not have blind spots.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct statement is:
“Look over your right shoulder for a right lane change and your left shoulder for a left lane change.”
Explanation:
When changing lanes, it’s essential to ensure that the lane you wish to move into is clear of any vehicles or obstacles. This requires checking for blind spots, which are areas not visible through your mirrors. These areas vary depending on your vehicle and its mirror configuration.
- Looking over the shoulder for lane changes:
The act of physically turning your head to look over your shoulder is a critical step in safely changing lanes.
- For a right lane change, you should look over your right shoulder. This helps you check the area to the right of your vehicle, which may not be visible in your side mirror.
- For a left lane change, you should look over your left shoulder. This checks the area to your left, which could be blocked by your vehicle’s blind spot.
- Why mirrors aren’t always enough:
Even though your car may be equipped with two outside mirrors (left and right), these mirrors don’t give you a complete view of your surroundings. Blind spots are areas around your car that mirrors can’t cover—typically areas right next to and slightly behind your car. While mirrors are important, they can’t eliminate the need to check your blind spots by physically turning your head. - Misconception about vehicles with two outside mirrors:
The statement “Vehicles with two outside mirrors do not have blind spots” is false. No vehicle, regardless of its mirror setup, is completely free of blind spots. Side mirrors provide a good field of vision, but they still leave areas that can’t be seen without physically checking. Even cars equipped with advanced features like blind spot monitoring have limitations, and drivers should still rely on shoulder checks to ensure the lane is clear.
In summary, the safest practice for lane changes is to always look over your shoulder in the direction of the lane change to ensure that no other vehicles are in your blind spot.