What must you do before changing lanes while driving?

When preparing to change lanes while driving, turning your head to check your blind spot is essential for ensuring safety. This action allows you to see any vehicles or obstacles that may not be visible in your mirrors, which is crucial since mirrors have limitations in their field of vision. Checking the blind spot helps you avoid potential collisions with vehicles that may be approaching or are already in the lane you intend to enter.

Although using mirrors and signaling are important components of the lane change procedure, they do not provide a complete picture of your immediate driving environment. Relying solely on mirrors may lead to overlooking other vehicles that are right next to you. Signaling is indeed necessary to communicate your intentions to other drivers, but it is also vital to verify that it is safe to change lanes by checking the blind spot.

Therefore, incorporating both the physical act of checking your blind spot and using mirrors and signaling creates a comprehensive approach to safe lane changes, thereby enhancing your awareness on the road.