Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Law Enforcement Driver Practice Test

What is an effective method to prevent blind spots while changing lanes?

1. Only use your side mirrors

2. Rely on rearview mirror only

3. Physically turn and check

4. Signal and change lanes without checking

The correct answer is: Physically turn and check

An effective method to prevent blind spots while changing lanes is to physically turn and check. This practice involves looking over your shoulder to see areas not covered by your mirrors, which enhances visibility and safety. While mirrors provide valuable information about surrounding vehicles, they have limitations, particularly in detecting vehicles in adjacent blind spots. By physically turning your head, you ensure a complete awareness of the space around your vehicle, significantly reducing the risk of collisions during lane changes. In contrast, solely relying on side mirrors or the rearview mirror can leave hidden areas unchecked. These mirrors may not capture all relevant traffic, especially smaller vehicles or cyclists. Additionally, signaling and changing lanes without checking could lead to dangerous situations as it ignores the critical step of verifying your surroundings before making a maneuver. Thus, the physical turning and checking method is the most comprehensive way to ensure safety when changing lanes.