Checking blind spot when changing lanes

Mike Hoch

Sorry to drag up an old thread, so what is the given rule on this that must be adhered to on the test. I'd be of the opinion that if you are switching lanes while the car is in motion, and are as close behind as the 2 second rule, taking your eye off the front for a split second could be a disaster. If you are further behind and have ample room to look, go ahead, if traffic is relatively tight I'd check my rear and middle internal mirror for a decent period while signalling for at least 4 or 5 seconds, then move right.

Certainly I'd look behind my shoulder when taking off from a stationary parked position or switching lanes from a stationary traffic jam. But in motion 2 seconds behind another car in tight traffic in a built up area?

What's the general consensus? To me, glancing behind and turning back takes the best part of a second. Plenty of time for the car infront to jam on the brakes.

biko

Moved out from a 5 year old thread as things may have changed.

Dravokivich

Your instructor should be able to advise you on what an examiner expects. When I did the test, their interest in blind spot checks was when I was taking off from a stationary position. In fairness though, there is also a need to look slightly towards the window (without going far enough to put chin over shoulder) to make sure nothing is beside you. You'll be surprised how little of that you'll see in mirrors.

kaymin

Mike Hoch wrote: »

Sorry to drag up an old thread, so what is the given rule on this that must be adhered to on the test. I'd be of the opinion that if you are switching lanes while the car is in motion, and are as close behind as the 2 second rule, taking your eye off the front for a split second could be a disaster. If you are further behind and have ample room to look, go ahead, if traffic is relatively tight I'd check my rear and middle internal mirror for a decent period while signalling for at least 4 or 5 seconds, then move right.

Certainly I'd look behind my shoulder when taking off from a stationary parked position or switching lanes from a stationary traffic jam. But in motion 2 seconds behind another car in tight traffic in a built up area?

What's the general consensus? To me, glancing behind and turning back takes the best part of a second. Plenty of time for the car infront to jam on the brakes.

I'd almost always give a glance over my right shoulder when intending to move into right lane, whether I'm on my motorbike or in my car. On a motorbike it's essential.

biko

Mike Hoch wrote: »

To me, glancing behind and turning back takes the best part of a second. Plenty of time for the car infront to jam on the brakes.

Then you're too close

Tbh, your instructor will tell you what to do.
But I think as long as the examiner sees you checking it should be ok. A quick glance might not be clear enough for him or her to notice.

frozenfrozen

you have to be making enough observations that you keep an up to date picture of what is going on around you. If you aren't able to make observations fast enough that you feel something could happen in front of you which you wouldn't be able to react to then you are driving too fast for the situation.

Check your mirror, indicate your intention to change lanes, check your blindspot and move into that space which you are now certain is clear.

What good is being so afraid of what could happen in front of you that you may completely ignore what could happen beside you?

It doesn't take one second to glance over your shoulder, your mirror should be adjusted in such a way that you are checking a very small piece of road to see if it is clear. If your mental picture of what is happening around you is good enough then you are just filling in a tiny bit of missing information which could take only the amount of time it takes to physically move your head.

In tight traffic in a built up area while in motion is exactly where you need to be observing your blindspots for cyclist / motorbikes / other cars