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.
