When driving on an interstate:
Stop on the shoulder of the road if you are tired.
You should always use cruise control.
Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots before changing lanes.
You should change lanes often.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer:
Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots before changing lanes.
Explanation:
Driving safely on an interstate requires awareness of your surroundings and adherence to traffic laws to prevent accidents. The correct action when changing lanes—signaling, checking mirrors, and checking blind spots—is a fundamental safety practice. Here’s why:
- Signaling Your Intentions:
Turn signals alert other drivers to your intended lane change. This communication is crucial on interstates, where vehicles travel at high speeds, often making sudden movements dangerous. - Checking Mirrors:
Your mirrors give you a broad view of traffic conditions around your vehicle. However, they cannot show everything, as there are blind spots that mirrors cannot cover. - Checking Blind Spots:
Turning your head to check blind spots ensures no vehicle is in areas your mirrors cannot capture. Failing to check blind spots is a common cause of accidents on high-speed roads like interstates.
Why Not the Other Choices?
- “Stop on the shoulder of the road if you are tired”:
While pulling over when tired is important, the shoulder of an interstate is for emergencies only. It’s safer to exit the interstate and stop at a rest area or parking lot. - “You should always use cruise control”:
Cruise control can enhance comfort on long drives but is not appropriate in heavy traffic, adverse weather, or hilly terrain. - “You should change lanes often”:
Frequent lane changes can confuse or surprise other drivers, increasing the risk of collisions. It is safer to stay in one lane unless overtaking or avoiding hazards.
By practicing proper signaling, mirror usage, and blind spot checks, you help ensure your safety and that of others on the road, fostering smoother traffic flow and reducing accidents.