Before changing lanes on a multilane highway, you should:
Answers
Sound your horn.
Turn on your headlights.
Reduce your speed.
Check your mirrors and blind spots.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Check your mirrors and blind spots.
Before changing lanes on a multilane highway, it is essential to ensure that the lane you wish to move into is clear of vehicles or obstacles. This can be done by checking your side mirrors, rearview mirror, and, most importantly, your blind spots. Blind spots are areas around your vehicle that are not visible through your mirrors, which can make it difficult to see other vehicles or objects in adjacent lanes. To check your blind spots, you should physically turn your head to look over your shoulder in the direction of the lane change.
The reason this step is crucial is that other drivers may be in your blind spot, and failing to see them can lead to accidents. The purpose of checking mirrors and blind spots is to ensure that no vehicles are too close or approaching rapidly in the lane you plan to enter.
Here’s why the other options are not correct:
- Sound your horn: This is typically unnecessary before changing lanes unless you need to warn another driver of a potential hazard. Using your horn should be reserved for situations where immediate action is needed to prevent an accident, not for routine lane changes.
- Turn on your headlights: While using headlights is essential in low visibility conditions, it is not necessary just for changing lanes on a multilane highway during the day or in clear weather. However, turning on headlights at night or in poor weather conditions is important for visibility.
- Reduce your speed: While it’s important to adjust your speed for safety when changing lanes, you should only reduce your speed if it’s necessary for making the maneuver safely. Generally, lane changes are smoother when maintaining a steady speed, unless traffic conditions require slowing down.
In summary, always prioritize checking your mirrors and blind spots to ensure the safety of your lane change.