What should you do before starting to drive or change lanes?

Before starting to drive or changing lanes, it is crucial to check all around your vehicle, including mirrors and blind spots. This comprehensive approach ensures that you are fully aware of your surroundings and can identify potential hazards or other road users that you may not see in your mirrors alone.

Checking mirrors provides a view of vehicles approaching from behind or beside you, but it doesn’t account for any blind spots—areas around your vehicle that are not visible through mirrors. A shoulder check is necessary to ensure that these blind spots are clear, as they can often conceal other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians.

By conducting a thorough check all around your vehicle, you’re effectively promoting safety for yourself and others on the road. This proactive strategy helps prevent accidents and fosters responsible driving habits, which are essential in maintaining safe road conditions.