When changing lanes you should not:
- Check your side and rearview mirrors.
- Give a turn signal to signal your intentions.
- Check for other drivers who may be moving into the same lane as you.
- Use your cell phone to contact the police to determine if the road ahead is clear. ✓
Answer: D. Use your cell phone to contact the police to determine if the road ahead is clear.
When changing lanes, you should not use your cell phone to contact the police to determine if the road ahead is clear.
Why this is the answer
The Texas handbook says you may use a cell phone to contact law enforcement or during an emergency, but if you must make a call, pull safely off the road first. It also says to avoid using a cell phone while driving because it can distract you. Calling police to ask whether the road ahead is clear is not a normal lane-change step, and it takes your attention away from driving. Checking mirrors, signaling, and watching for other drivers are proper preparations for a lane change.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Check your side and rearview mirrors. — Checking your side and rearview mirrors is a normal part of preparing to change lanes, not something to avoid.
- B. Give a turn signal to signal your intentions. — Giving a turn signal announces your intention to move, so it is not the prohibited action.
- C. Check for other drivers who may be moving into the same lane as you. — Checking for other drivers who may be moving into the same lane helps you avoid a collision, so it is not what you should skip.
Remember it
Before a lane change, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on traffic; the phone stays out of it.