Shoulder Check Tips for Safer Lane Changes
Written by Staff Writer
Before changing lanes, check your blind spot for:
- Nearby vehicles
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
Preparing to Move Into Another Lane
A shoulder check lets you see areas beside your vehicle that mirrors may not reveal.
Follow these steps, consistent with the California DMV’s lane-change guidance.
Signal Your Intention
Always signal before changing lanes to alert other drivers.
Check Your Mirrors
Look at your rearview and side mirrors to assess traffic behind and beside you.
Look Beside Your Vehicle
Briefly turn your head to look over your shoulder through the side window in the direction you plan to move. Check for road users in the adjacent lane, then return your attention to the road ahead.
Maintain Control
Keep both hands steady on the steering wheel while checking. This helps you stay in control of your vehicle.
Proceed if Clear
If the lane is clear and there is enough space, safely change lanes.
These steps support safe lane changes.
By incorporating shoulder checks into your driving routine, you enhance your awareness and reduce the risk of crashes.
Using Mirrors and Direct Views Together
Mirror adjustment and shoulder checks serve different purposes. Below is a comparison of how these techniques work together before you move into another lane.
Technique | What It Does | When to Use It | What to Remember |
Shoulder Check | Provides a direct view of the area beside your vehicle | Before changing lanes | Check mirrors as part of the maneuver |
Mirror Adjustment | Sets your view of traffic behind and to the sides | Before driving | Set the mirrors before checking traffic |
Combined Approach | Uses mirror views and a direct look to assess surrounding traffic | Before each lane change | Confirm the lane is clear before moving |
Pro Tip: Avoid turning your entire body, which could cause you to steer unintentionally. The California DMV advises turning only your head when checking beside your vehicle.
Setting Your Mirrors for Wider Coverage
Adjusting your side mirrors correctly helps reduce blind spots. Properly set mirrors can help you see vehicles that might otherwise be hidden. Before driving, follow this method described in the South Carolina DMV’s Driver’s Manual:
- Check the center mirror: From your normal driving position, adjust it to frame the rear window.
- Adjust the left mirror: Rest your head against the closed driver’s window. Move the mirror until you can just see the rear edge of your car.
- Adjust the right mirror: Lean right until your head is above the center console. Set this mirror so you can barely see the right edge of your car.
- Return to your driving position: With this setup, the sides of your vehicle should be out of sight in the side mirrors.
- Check coverage: During normal driving, observe how passing vehicles move between your mirror views and direct view without taking prolonged looks away from the road.
- Adjust if needed: Stop safely before making further adjustments.
The car’s edges are visible while you lean to set each side mirror; they move out of view when you return to your normal seating position.
Remember, adjusting your mirrors is just one part of safe driving. Combine the setup with the traffic checks described above.
What the Research Shows
Electronic assistance can help reduce crashes, but driver awareness remains part of deciding when it is safe to move.
A 2017 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study found that vehicles equipped with blind spot detection had a 14% lower rate of all lane-change crashes and a 23% lower rate of lane-change crashes involving injuries than vehicles without it. Only the 14% reduction was statistically significant; the 23% injury-crash reduction was not.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that blind spot warning systems alert drivers to vehicles in adjacent lanes that they may not see. These systems provide assistance; you remain responsible for driving and deciding when it is safe to move.