What should you check before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, it is vital to check your mirrors and blind spots to ensure that the lane is clear of any obstacles, vehicles, or cyclists. This practice increases safety by providing a comprehensive view of the surrounding traffic and potential hazards that may not be visible in your mirrors alone. Checking mirrors helps you to see vehicles approaching from behind or in adjacent lanes, while scrutinizing your blind spots allows you to identify any vehicles that are not in your direct line of sight. This awareness is crucial to avoid collisions and ensure a smooth lane change.

While considering fuel levels, weather conditions, or GPS directions may be important for overall driving safety, they do not directly pertain to the immediate action of changing lanes. Fuel levels are generally a long-term consideration, weather conditions may affect driving but are not specific to the lane change itself, and GPS directions guide your route but do not influence your immediate surroundings during a lane transition. Thus, focusing on mirrors and blind spots is the most critical aspect when preparing to change lanes.