Which of the following is required before making a lane change?

When preparing to make a lane change, it is crucial to follow certain safety protocols to ensure the maneuver can be done safely and without causing danger to yourself or other road users.

Signaling your intentions is fundamental, as it alerts other drivers of your planned action, allowing them to anticipate your movement. This communication helps maintain traffic flow and prevents accidents.

In addition to signaling, you must also check your rearview mirror and blind spots. This step is vital because vehicles or cyclists might be in areas that are not visible in your mirrors alone. By checking these areas, you can ensure that the lane you are moving into is clear of obstacles or other vehicles.

Being aware of oncoming traffic is also important. While it is necessary to assess the immediate surroundings as you prepare for the lane change, understanding the traffic patterns around you provides context that contributes to safe driving decisions.

The combination of these actions—signaling, checking mirrors and blind spots, and being aware of traffic—forms a comprehensive approach to safely changing lanes, which is why all of these elements are required before executing a lane change.