It doesn’t matter if you’re driving in downtown Atlanta or one of the many highways throughout Georgia, you’ll find yourself regularly changing lanes.
As an experienced driver, it’s easy to get lazy when making a lane change. Unfortunately, doing so greatly increases the risk of an accident.
Here are five things you can do to safely change lanes:
- Use your turn signal: Once you decide to change lanes, put on your turn signal to alert other drivers.
- Check your mirrors: This gives you a better idea of what’s going on around you, such as if there’s a car driving next to you.
- Take a peek over your shoulder: You don’t want to take your eyes off the road for too long, but a quick peak allows you to check your blind spot.
- Make your move: If you have a clear path, make your move and establish yourself in the other lane.
- Turn off your turn signal: Don’t forget to do this, as leaving your turn signal on can confuse other drivers.
When you do these things every time, you’ll find it easier to confidently and safely change lanes.
If another person causes an accident, such as striking your vehicle while changing lanes, move to the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot. You can then call for help, assess yourself and passengers for injuries and exchange information with the other driver.
Once you receive treatment, contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident. Also, learn more about your legal rights, as there are a variety of steps you can take to obtain compensation for your injuries and other damages.
