Defensive Driving Tips On Vehicle Lane Changes
Lane changes can be one of the easiest maneuvers with a vehicle,
and can be one of the hardest maneuvers at the same time.
Changing lanes requires processing information and making a safe
decision well in advance to make the maneuver a simple and safe
task. The faster your speed is, the faster you have to process
information, which in turn makes it a little more difficult.
There are important defensive driving procedures you must do,
before making a lane change.
Look ahead and plan ahead. If you plan well in advance, the
maneuver becomes a lot easier and safer. Checking your path
ahead before you consider changing lanes is the number one
priority. What traffic and pedestrians are doing ahead of you is
the first step in processing information and making a decision.
You must always check your path ahead for vehicle traffic
changes, and controlled intersections that affect these changes.
There are many potential hazards that you should be looking for.
You have to be looking ahead for vehicles slowing down and
possibly stopping in front of you, and making sure you're on the
look out for pedestrians that may step off the curb up ahead.
Also checking for vehicles that may possibly come out in front
of you, or from another merging lane. A good indication of what
traffic and pedestrians are going to do ahead of you would be
motorist signaling ahead of you with a signal and or brake
lights. If their signaling to turn, they have to slow down and
possibly stop for other traffic or pedestrians, depending on
circumstances where they are turning. All this information is
important, because it affects everybody in motion.
While your checking your path ahead, you have to know what is
happening behind you. If you use your rearview mirror all the
time, you will always know what is happening around you. Using
the rearview mirror, gives you a bigger picture than your side
mirrors. Checking your rearview mirror should be done at a
glance only. Your main concern is in front of you. When glancing
at your rearview mirror, you should be glancing for traffic
coming up faster than you, also vehicles signaling to change
lanes behind you. They may be picking up speed to pass your
vehicle.
In order to make a safe lane change, you have to either slow
down to let traffic get by you, or speed up to stay ahead of
traffic, without going over the speed limit. If you're doing the
same speed as traffic behind you, they won't catch up to you,
unless you start braking. If traffic is doing the same speed,
you should accelerate slightly to maneuver over to the other
lane, unless there is a good reason not to.
Once you know what is happening both ahead of you and behind
your vehicle. The number three procedure is signaling to let
traffic know your intentions on the direction you plan on
maneuvering. The signaling procedure is for communicating to
other drivers. If you signal and let other drivers know what
you're doing, they may slow down to let you make the safe lane
change. Warning other vehicles of your intention to change
lanes, include vehicles ahead of you and behind you.
Drivers negotiating to maneuver out in front of you may stay
where they are, if they see your signal to move over, possibly
into the lane that they want to maneuver into. People do not
always do what there suppose to do, so anticipate the worst.
Take nothing for granted! It may be a safer lane change beyond
traffic waiting to come out, if you have time. You also have to
consider not surprising the vehicles close to your vehicle by
signaling as they approach the corner side of your vehicle. They
may panic and brake, thinking you're moving over sooner. Wait
until they are beside your vehicle and your signal is out of
their sight before you signal to warn other traffic behind your
vehicle. This seems like a lot of info for just a signal, but
communicating with other drivers are important in defensive
driving.
After you have signaled and you know everything is clear ahead
of you and behind. Take a quick glance over to your blind spot,
and make sure there is nobody sitting along side your vehicle.
Stay in your lane, if it is not safe. When you check your
shoulder, it's only supposed to be a glance. You still have one
more important procedure before maneuvering into the other lane.
Recheck the lane ahead of you, just before you turn the steering
wheel to make sure nobody is stopping or coming out into your
path. Once you have glanced over your shoulder and looked
forward, gradually maneuver over right away with a slight
adjustment of the steering wheel. Only if it's safe! You do not
want to be maneuvering over, if there is a vehicle stopping in
front of you, or coming out in front of your intended path. If
you cannot make the maneuver right after the shoulder check,
cancel everything and start over. The worst scenario would be
traveling an extra block in town.
Do not make lane changes at intersections. Make sure lane
changes are done before and after intersections. Intersections
include any crossroad, side road, lane or street.
Constantly planning well in advance and constantly using your
mirrors, will help you become a better defensive driver.
I hope these defensive driving tips help your goal in becoming a
safe driver.
For more information on this topic, please consult with a family
member and a recognized Driving School on defensive driving
techniques.