How can you check your blind spots effectively?

Checking your blind spots is an essential aspect of safe driving, especially during lane changes and turns. The most effective method for checking blind spots involves physically turning your head and looking over your shoulder. This technique allows you to see areas that are not covered by your mirrors.

While mirrors are helpful for monitoring the vehicles around you, they do not provide a complete picture of your surroundings. Some vehicles, particularly smaller ones or those positioned at certain angles, may not be visible in your mirrors at all. By turning your head, you expand your field of view and can better assess any cars or obstacles in your blind spots.

Additionally, relying solely on mirrors or listening for vehicles can be misleading. Mirrors can have blind spots themselves and may not adequately reflect the true distance or speed of approaching vehicles. Listening for vehicles, while useful in some contexts, is not a reliable method for ensuring safety during maneuvers that require visual confirmation. Thus, the best practice for ensuring you are fully aware of your surroundings is to physically check over your shoulder.