When changing lanes, you should:
- Rely on your mirrors.
- Begin signaling as you move into the next lane.
- Signal at least 500 feet before your lane change when driving on residential streets.
- Always check your blind spot. ✓
Answer: D. Always check your blind spot.
Always check your blind spot by looking quickly over your shoulder before you change lanes.
Why this is the answer
The New York manual says not to depend on your mirrors when you prepare to change lanes. Even correctly adjusted mirrors leave blind spots on both sides, and a vehicle in one may not appear in the mirror. Before pulling into the next lane, you should look quickly over your shoulder through the back side window. That head check is what lets you see a vehicle hidden in the blind spot, so checking it is the safe habit to build.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Rely on your mirrors. — Relying on your mirrors is not enough because even properly adjusted mirrors leave blind spots where a vehicle can hide.
- B. Begin signaling as you move into the next lane. — The manual has you signal the lane change before you pull into the next lane, so signaling only as you move gives too little warning.
- C. Signal at least 500 feet before your lane change when driving on residential streets. — The passages do not state a 500-foot signaling distance for residential streets, so that specific number is not supported.
Remember it
Mirrors show most, not all: turn your head to cover the blind spot before you move.