Changing lanes
To account for blind spots, you must do shoulder checks in addition to mirror checks before changing lanes. To shoulder check properly, quickly glance back over your shoulder through the rear side windows in the direction you intend to move. This allows you to see the area you are unable to see in your mirrors. If you do not have backseat side windows or a back rear window, you need to use your outside mirrors with an attached convex mirror.
When moving from one lane to another, do the following:
- Be sure a lane change is permitted.
- Check for traffic by glancing in your inside and outside rear view mirrors.
- Check over your shoulder to be sure there are no vehicles or cyclists in your blind spots.
- Turn on the proper signal light.
- If safe, change lanes while maintaining your speed as much as possible.
- Ensure your signal light is turned off.
Passing
Passing on a multi-lane highway
On a multi-lane highway, slower traffic should use the travel lane furthest to the right (unless needing the left lane to turn left). This leaves the left lane available for other drivers to use for passing.
Passing lanes
A passing lane is a lane added to a highway to allow passing, often in the mountains. Slower vehicles move into the passing lane to the right, permitting other vehicles to pass safely in the left lane. Signs will alert drivers to a passing lane ahead. A passing lane permits other vehicles to pass safely.
When approaching the end of the passing lane, drivers in the right lane must merge safely with traffic to the left. Drivers in the left lane must cooperate to let drivers from the right lane merge. Signs are posted to alert drivers that the passing lane is ending.
Passing on a two-lane highway
On a two-lane highway (one lane of traffic in each direction), passing another vehicle can be difficult and dangerous. Errors in judgement can result in head-on collisions, and these often cause fatalities. Passing should be done only where it is legal, when it is necessary, and with extreme caution.
Before passing another vehicle on a two-lane road, do the following:
- Pass only where it is permitted.
- Keep a safe following distance behind the vehicle you intend to pass.
- Pass vehicles only when there is no oncoming traffic for a safe distance.
- Check your outside and inside rear