Why is it important to know your vehicle's blind spots?

Understanding your vehicle's blind spots is crucial for safe driving, particularly when changing lanes. Blind spots are areas around your vehicle that cannot be viewed through your mirrors or by looking over your shoulder. Before making a lane change, it is essential to check these blind spots to ensure that there are no other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians present. Failing to do so can lead to accidents, as you may not be aware of surrounding traffic or obstacles.

While avoiding hitting pedestrians and ensuring mirrors are properly adjusted are also important aspects of safe driving, they do not directly relate to the specific reason for checking blind spots prior to changing lanes. Driving faster is not a relevant reason and could also result in dangerous situations. Thus, knowing and checking blind spots specifically enhances the overall safety of your driving maneuvers.