Tag: lane change

DMV advice – lane changes

The DMV has let us know in the driver’s ed community about a few things we, as new drivers, could be doing better. One of the biggest issues they are seeing when new drivers are coming in for their tests, is lane changes. They wanted us to let you know that head checks are critical. They really want to see students with their heads on a swivel, looking all the way over that shoulder before they move. Please feel free to check out my earlier post on head checks to see how to do them properly. Just checking mirrors is not enough.

I recently had a student who went for her test, and in all her nerves, had a hard time with a lane change. She went through all her steps perfectly, checking her mirror, signally correctly, and doing a good head check all while maintaining her lane position and speed control. The problem was that she was so focused on the steps, she wasn’t processing what she was seeing during those steps. There was a car quite close in the lane she wanted to move into, and while thinking about the mechanics of those steps, she didn’t realize he was right there. When she started to move over, there was a loud honk from off her left shoulder. Make sure you are not just going through the motions, but really seeing what you need to .

We talked about how to fix this problem, and one of things we decided, was that if she was checking her rear view mirror regularly, then when it came time to go through her lane change steps, she wouldn’t have to be so nervous about someone being in her blind spot, She would already have a sense of whether or not there was a gap there. So, not waiting until the last minute to start checking her surroundings made her feel much more prepared when a lane change came up. We both felt that this was a good take-away both for her test and real-life driving. She passed the second time with flying colors and a lot more confidence.

Head Check

If you are going to change lanes, pull out from the curb, or make any other lateral, (sideways,) move, you are going to need to look over your shoulder.  This is called a Head Check.  Mirrors are great, and they will help a good bit, but there is this pesky thing called a blind spot where a whole car can hide.  Even if you adjust all of your mirrors properly, there is still a spot right off the rear quarter panel that you cannot see.  It’s about where your gas cap is.

If you are the blue car, the dark red triangle behind you indicates what you can see in your rear-view mirror.  The light red shows what you can see in your side mirrors.  The red car to your right in not in either of those areas, which means you cannot see it in any of your mirrors.  The only way to see this red car to your side is to actually turn around and look.

Keep both hands on the wheel.  Sometimes it helps to pull down on the wheel with both hands a little bit.  Even weight in both hands will help you keep from turning the steering wheel while you turn around.  Pick up your shoulders off the seat by leaning forward  a bit.  Whichever direction you are going to go, look over that shoulder.  For example if you are changing lanes to the left,  you will begin by turning your chin to your left shoulder.  You will be  looking between the head rest and the pillar that holds up your seat belt, where your door closes.  You need to look all the way over that shoulder, just a glance to your left will not work.  If you are looking to the right, you will be looking over that right shoulder between the seats, through the back window.

Make sure you give yourself long enough to really see what is back there, and be thinking about what you are looking for.  Include motorcycles, pedestrians, and other vehicles.  Then look back to what is in front of the car.  I know we do not like the idea of looking behind us while we are driving forward, but it is critical.  The whole thing should only have your eyes off of the road for a total of about one second, so as long as you have ample room in front of you before you begin this maneuver, you will be fine.  It will take some practice to keep your speed and lane position consistent while doing your head check.  Practice while you are at a stop light or in your driveway to get the feel for where you want to look and how to move your head without moving the rest of your body.  Beginners often swerve with the whole car as they look over their shoulder.  We tend to drive wherever we are looking, so be sure to stay calm and only move your head, keeping your arms still.

A little practice will have you doing head checks like a pro.  This is not something you are just doing as a beginner, or something you will outgrow.  Every driver should do this every time they move over.  Convex mirrors will also help with the blind spot.  The are rounded out so they help you see further out next to your car.  They are a useful after-market tool.  They are not expensive, and easy to apply to a side mirror.  But, I still believe that even with a convex mirror, the safest way to make a lateral move is to actually look over your shoulder.