How to Change Lanes - Tips for the Driving Exam

Summary

This instructional video script emphasizes the importance of proper lane changing techniques for safe driving. It advises checking central and side mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, and stresses the need to avoid slowing down excessively or being too passive. The script provides tips on judging safe distances using vehicle sizes in mirrors and the two-second rule for following distances. It also highlights common mistakes, such as not fully changing lanes when avoiding obstacles or neglecting verifications when changing lanes in areas without physical barriers. The video aims to educate drivers on the correct procedures for lane changes, ensuring safe and efficient driving.

Takeaways

• 👀 Always verify by checking the central mirror, side mirror, and blind spot before changing lanes to ensure safety.
• ⚡ Avoid slowing down too much when changing lanes; adapt to the speed of the traffic in the target lane, either by accelerating or slowing down.
• 🚗 Don't be passive; make a decision to either accelerate and change lanes in front or slow down and change behind if another vehicle is in your blind spot.
• 🔍 Use the size of vehicles in your mirrors as a gauge to determine if there's enough space to change lanes; a completely visible car in your mirror indicates sufficient distance.
• 📏 Maintain a two-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front at city speeds, which corresponds to the distance a moving car travels in that time.
• ⏱ The two-second rule for following distance is based on time, not distance, and adjusts automatically with changes in speed.
• 🚦 Change lanes completely when going around obstacles, even if they only partially block your lane, to avoid collision with other vehicles.
• 🛑 Always perform verifications when changing lanes in areas with painted lines or after passing vehicles that are turning, as there might still be other vehicles present.
• 🚔 Remember that changing lanes also applies when entering or exiting a parking spot, as you transition from a stationary to a moving lane or vice versa.
• 👀 Avoid staring at mirrors for too long before changing lanes as it can cause swerving; instead, alternate between checking the mirror and looking forward.
• 👍 The video encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and comment if they have questions or suggestions, highlighting the importance of engagement.

Q & A

What are the necessary checks before changing lanes?

Before changing lanes, one must check the central mirror, the side mirror, and the blind spot to the side where they are changing lanes.

Why should checking the blind spot be quick?

Checking the blind spot should be quick because if you keep your eyes there for too long, you're not seeing what's happening in front anymore.

What is a common mistake students make when changing lanes?

A common mistake students make is slowing down too much when changing lanes because they tend to brake out of fear.

How should one adapt their speed when changing lanes?

One should adapt to the speed of the traffic in the lane where they want to go, either accelerating and changing in front if they're not already too close to the maximum speed, or slowing down and changing behind.

Why is it important not to be too passive when changing lanes?

Being too passive can lead to a situation where a car remains in your blind spot, and you have to make a decision to either accelerate and change in front or slow down and change behind.

How can you determine if vehicles in the lane you want to go are far enough for you to change lanes?

You can determine this by the size of the vehicle in your mirrors; if you see the car completely in your mirror, it's far enough.

What is the recommended time gap between your vehicle and the one in front when changing lanes on the highway?

When changing lanes on the highway, you should leave at least two seconds between your vehicle and the one in front.

Why is it important to maintain a two-second gap between vehicles at different speeds?

The two-second gap is important because time is relative to speed; as speed increases, so does the distance between vehicles, but the gap in time remains two seconds for safety.

How can you determine the two-second gap when changing lanes?

You can determine the two-second gap by finding a reference point, like a parked car, and counting 'zero one two' as the car in front passes it.

What is a common mistake made when going around an obstacle without changing lanes completely?

A common mistake is stepping on the lines without changing lanes completely, which can lead to a risk of collision with the vehicle on the other lane.

Why is it important to do your verifications when changing lanes after painted lines or when passing vehicles about to turn left?

It's important because even if you can't drive over these lines or if a vehicle is about to turn left, there might still be someone there, so always do your verifications to ensure safety.

What is a common mistake students make when looking at mirrors before changing lanes?

A common mistake is staring at the mirrors for too long, which can cause the vehicle to swerve in the direction they are looking.

What is the recommended way to check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes?

The recommended way is to alternate between looking at the mirror and looking in front until the vehicle passes, then check the mirrors and blind spot again to ensure there are no more vehicles before changing lanes.