What is the safest way to change lanes in traffic?

The safest way to change lanes in traffic involves a thorough process that ensures the safety of both the driver and other road users. Signaling is the first critical step, as it alerts surrounding drivers to your intention to change lanes, allowing them to adjust their speed or position accordingly. After signaling, it is essential to check the mirrors to get an idea of the vehicles in adjacent lanes and their distances from your vehicle. This helps assess whether there is a safe gap to move into.

In addition to using mirrors, checking blind spots is crucial because mirrors have limitations and may not reveal vehicles that are in your blind spot—areas that are not visible through mirrors. Failing to check blind spots can lead to collisions with other vehicles that may be in your vicinity, which is why this step is integral to safe lane changes.

The other methods, such as changing lanes without signaling or only relying on mirrors without checking blind spots, compromise safety by failing to adequately communicate intentions or by not providing a complete view of the surrounding traffic. Changing lanes quickly can also create sudden movements that increase the risk of accidents, as it does not allow sufficient time for other drivers to react.