What is the proper technique for changing lanes safely?

• A. Speed up quickly to merge.
• B. Ignore blind spots and rely on others.
• C. Wait for a long time before signaling.
• D. Check mirrors, signal early, check blind spots, and merge smoothly when clear.

Answer: (D)

Changing lanes safely comes down to clear communication and a good sequence of checks. Start by scanning your mirrors to know who’s around you. Signal early so other drivers know you intend to move over. Then quickly check the blind spots by looking over your shoulder toward the lane you plan to enter. If the lane is clear, steer smoothly into it and adjust your speed to fit the traffic. These steps reduce the chance of a collision by making your move predictable and giving others time to react. The risky habits—speeding up to merge, ignoring blind spots, or delaying signaling—can lead to crashes because they remove your visibility or surprise other drivers.