When changing lanes, you should signal, check your mirrors, check your blind spot, and then change lanes if it’s clear. In practice, the steps are:
Signal early: Turn on your turn signal in the direction you intend to move. This gives other drivers advance warning of your lane change.
Check your mirrors: Look at both your rear-view mirror and the side mirror on the side you’re moving toward to see the positions of vehicles behind you in the lane you want to enter.
Check your blind spot: Glance over your shoulder to the side you’re moving into. This “head check” ensures no vehicle (like a car or motorcycle) is in that area your mirrors don’t show. Many accidents occur because people skip this step and don’t see a car in their blind spot.
Merge smoothly: If the lane is clear after those checks, gradually steer into the next lane. Maintain your speed (or gently accelerate to keep up with traffic flow in that lane). Do not jerk the wheel or make a sudden move.
Turn off your signal: Once you’ve completed the lane change, turn off your turn signal.
So, in short, signal – mirrors – blind spot – merge when safe. By doing all these, you ensure you won’t cut off someone already in that lane or sideswipe a vehicle that might be just out of view. If it’s not clear, wait with your signal on until a gap appears or adjust your speed to find a gap. Never force your way without verifying it’s safe. Patience is key. But as soon as it is safe, complete the lane change and then cancel your signal.
This procedure is often taught as “SMOG”: Signal, Mirrors, Over-the-shoulder (blind spot), Go (if clear). Always do each part; skipping the blind spot check, for example, is a common mistake that leads to collisions.
