You are entering a freeway. Check traffic on the freeway by:
- Using your rearview and side mirrors.
- Using your rearview mirror.
- Using your side mirror and looking over your shoulder. ✓
Answer: C. Using your side mirror and looking over your shoulder.
When you enter a freeway, check freeway traffic by using your side mirror and looking over your shoulder.
Why this is the answer
The handbook explains that every vehicle has blind spots at the sides, slightly behind the driver, and these are areas you cannot see by looking straight ahead or with your mirrors. It tells you to check those blind spots by looking over your right and left shoulders out of the side windows, turning only your head, and it lists merging with traffic as one of the times to do this. A side mirror helps you see traffic alongside you, but the shoulder glance is what covers the spot the mirror misses.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Using your rearview and side mirrors. — Rearview and side mirrors alone still leave the side blind spots unseen, so they do not cover what a shoulder check shows before you merge.
- B. Using your rearview mirror. — The rearview mirror shows what is behind you, not the traffic alongside and in your blind spots as you enter the freeway.
Remember it
Mirrors show the lane beside you, but only a quick head turn over the shoulder clears the blind spot before you merge.