What is the proper protocol for changing lanes?

The proper protocol for changing lanes involves a series of critical safety steps, primarily focusing on signaling, checking your rear view mirrors, and inspecting your blind spots.

Signaling indicates your intention to other road users, which is essential for avoiding misunderstandings and potential accidents. Checking your rear view mirrors allows you to see vehicles approaching from behind, while checking your blind spots ensures there are no vehicles or cyclists in adjacent lanes that may not be visible in your mirrors. This comprehensive approach minimizes the risk of collisions and promotes safe driving practices while changing lanes.

Other options could lead to unsafe driving conditions: looking at your phone would distract you from the task at hand; signaling only when a vehicle is behind does not consider other road users; and changing lanes while accelerating can result in losing control of your vehicle and not having enough time to react to any obstacles. This makes the correct protocol essential for safe and responsible driving.