To see objects in their blind spot when changing lanes, drivers should check:
Answers
Only the left outside mirror.
Over their left or right shoulder.
Only the inside rearview mirror.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: Over their left or right shoulder.
When changing lanes, drivers should perform a shoulder check (also known as a head check) to ensure that there are no vehicles in their blind spot. The blind spot is the area around the vehicle that is not visible through the rearview or side mirrors, and this check helps avoid accidents when merging into another lane.
Here’s why shoulder checks are crucial:
- Blind Spot Awareness: Mirrors, whether the inside rearview mirror or the side mirrors, help you see a lot of what’s around your car. However, no mirror can provide a full view of all areas around the vehicle. Blind spots exist because of the design of the vehicle, which can obstruct a driver’s view of certain areas, especially the zones just behind the side mirrors. A shoulder check allows drivers to see areas that mirrors might miss, particularly the space directly next to and behind the car.
- Lane Changes and Merging: When preparing to change lanes, a driver must ensure that the space they wish to move into is clear. Without checking the blind spot, it’s easy to miss another vehicle that could be beside you, potentially leading to a dangerous situation. Simply relying on mirrors, especially the rearview or side mirrors, can be insufficient to spot vehicles or cyclists hiding in the blind spot.
- Safe Lane Changing: The head check provides a quick but critical confirmation that the lane you are moving into is free from obstacles. This small action significantly reduces the risk of collisions while merging or changing lanes, particularly when other vehicles may be speeding up or slowing down.
Therefore, performing a shoulder check over the left or right shoulder is the safest and most effective method to identify potential hazards in your blind spot before changing lanes.