Turns, lane changes and blind spots

Most lane-change and turning collisions come from one thing: a driver who did not see a vehicle that was there the whole time. Your mirrors do not show everything, so every safe lane change and turn follows the same short routine.

The routine: signal, mirror, shoulder-check, move

Signal early so others know your plan. Check your mirrors. Then turn your head and look over your shoulder to check the blind spot — the area beside and just behind your car that the mirrors miss. Only when it is clear do you move, smoothly and in one steady motion.

Positioning your turns

• Signal in good time
  Let drivers and pedestrians read your intention before you act.
• Left turn
  Turn from the left-most lane in your direction, into the left-most lane of the road you enter.
• Right turn
  Keep close to the right curb so no one tries to squeeze up beside you.
• Yield while turning
  Turning across traffic or a crosswalk, you give way to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians.