What should you use to check your blind spots before changing lanes?

To check your blind spots effectively before changing lanes, looking over your shoulder is essential. This action allows you to physically see the areas that are not visible in your mirrors, ensuring there are no vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in your blind spots.

While mirrors—both rearview and side—are crucial for observing traffic and surrounding conditions, they do not provide a complete view of the blind spots adjacent to your vehicle. This is particularly true for vehicles, especially larger ones, where the blind spots might extend beyond what can be seen in those mirrors.

Using audible warning signals can be helpful in certain advanced vehicles equipped with blind-spot monitoring, but they should not replace the fundamental practice of visually checking blind spots. Relying solely on technology cannot substitute for the driver’s responsibility to look and ensure the safety of the maneuver.