Might sound silly...BUT I need help changing lanes what are your techniques?

Question

I find myself damn near sticking my head out the window to change lanes on the freeway. I have gotten horns honked at me, and a few middle fingers...lol I take it all in stride, though I know I need to find out what is the real way to change a lane? Does anyone have any system? what mirrors help? i dont want to hit anyone due to a blind spot situation. (no rude answers please)

Answer 1

There are a few things you can do to change lanes safely.


MIRRORS

One thing that helps quite a bit when changing lanes is moving your side mirrors so that you reduce the overlap between the rearview mirror and the side mirrors.

Most people adjust their side mirrors to see the side of their own car. This is a redundant use of the side mirrors and creates a large blind spot between the area covered by the side mirrors and your peripheral vision.

Follow the guidelines in the motorists.com guidelines below and you'll reduce the overlap of side mirrors and rearview mirror significantly, allowing you to have a much better picture of the road behind you and to the sides.

You'll need a little adjustment time to train yourself to use your rearview mirror for the majority of the direct-behind view, but this doesn't take long.

Also, for longer vehicles like vans and SUVs, you may need to refine their instructions a bit to get it just right.

This new mirror position doesn't eliminate the need to glance left or right, but it definitely helps.


PLAN AHEAD

Changing lanes can also be made easier if you plan ahead. Watch the road ahead and behind and make note of cars, their speeds, and the gaps. By making yourself aware of your surroundings at all times, your lane changes won't be last-second skin-of-your-teeth manouevers that scare the living daylights out of your passengers and other drivers. :)


USE YOUR SIGNALS

This may sound obvious, but lots of drivers don't realize that the turn indicators are intended to make other drivers aware of your intentions, not your movements. Let them know before you do something so they can make adjustments to avoid an accident. Some drivers are hyper-aggressive ego-maniacs and respond to the turn signal as a threat to their ego. Let these guys pass; their aggro tactics will get them in trouble sooner or later, and you really don't want to be involved.


MAINTAIN/ADJUST SPEED

Finally, make sure that when you do execute the lane change, you maintain/adjust speed accordingly. Lots of people change lanes going slower than the lane they are moving into. This disrupts traffic flow and creates the potential for an accident. Since you've been paying attention to traffic around you, you know how fast you need to be going to merge smoothly. If the difference in speeds is greater than your car's acceleration can handle, consider waiting out another opportunity in your current lane. Going 5mph slower than you'd like to is much preferable to going from 60mph to zero in a split second and dealing with a car accident.

Good luck!

Answer 2

IF, you have Door Mirrors adjust them so you can see the road on both sides without moving your head a lot. Many people adjust them so they see part of their own car, this too far in to see the area you need to see, move them out some. When you check the mirror for the lane you want, then do a quick look for any Blind Spot to be safe, you just turn your head and scan eyes quickly and if clear move over. Another thing I do is get in the Habit of Scanning ALL your mirrors often! Then you see the cars that gain on you. IF, they have not passed and you want to change lanes, you know they there somewhere and scan ALL mirrors to locate them. Hope this helps you. It is an acquired skill that takes practice.

Answer 3

Ok Chocolate (milk?dark? light?) What I do is, check the three mirrors, go forward a little bit, just a little faster if necessary, signaling, check the mirrors again, and make the car glide over into the targeted lane. Then back to the speed I was goign before, and say, Thank you, Divine Father. But be aware, that some times a driver wants to cause an accident, so that she/he can claim insurance money- for frauaulent reasons. Such a person, will get so close to you, when you're trying to safely make a lane change, that both cars swipe. I know you're careful, just like I am. So be watchful. Nobody wants to hit another car, excpt the insurance frauds.

Answer 4

Well you can only really learn from experience, but the way most people do it is 1) look in the side mirror on whatever lane your gonna turn into 2) if its clear, put on your turn signal 3) accelerate a little and start merging into the 2nd lane (not too fast, but not too slow) it should take a few seconds to merge. 4) turn signal off if it doesn't already If i were you and you've never done a lane change before, i'd find an empty parking lot and practice there. Or maybe an empty 1 way street that has two lanes on it.

Answer 5

This is how I learned. First put your signal light on so others know you're about to move over. Check your rearview mirror first. Then check the 2 mirrors on the sides of your doors...the very LAST thing you do is check your blind spot, just a quick glance over your shoulder to see what your mirrors cannot, even in a small vehicle (you should never take the risk of not checking). When all looks good, go for it but be CONFIDENT when changing lanes. Don't be scared, but be cautious and it should be a breeze. I also suggest practicing as often as possible so you do become more confident and able to do it quickly and efficiently. If anyone beeps or yells just let it go, they'll get over it :)

Answer 6

First things first, please, use the blinkers that the car was installed with.

From there, I look in your side mirrors to look at the cars that are on my side, or coming up on my side, then look in my rear-view mirror to determine if there is a car coming ultra fast behind me or if someone has changed lanes, allowing for me to go. I then turn my head to look for cars in my blind spot and then I change lanes. Do not slow down to change lanes, nor should you brake while changing lanes, unless necessary. In the end, don't forget to turn off your blinker.

This should help. Practice on the freeway or the streets late at night, so that you won't have the people that are heavy on the horns scaring you....

Answer 7

It's all about the blind spot. I drive a large truck so I know
what you mean.
Position your side view mirror so you can see a portion of
the back of your car for a reference point. It should be adjusted so
that only a quick glance is required to see if traffic is in the other lane. But for safety's sake, I still turn my head around at the blind spot, in the car that is. On the truck, I bought a small
round blind spot mirror that sticks to your existing mirror.
Most auto parts stores have them for $3. It allows you to
see immediately next to your car.

Answer 8

First of all, turn your blinker on...that way cars around you know what your intentions are and may even be kind enough to make room for you (in most cases not...but there are still a few courteous drivers out there). I usually skip mirrors completely and just look over my shoulder occasionally, because mirrors don't cover blind spots (hence the name...but you already knew that). Then I usually slow down a bit and wait for an opening...if the cars behind you don't like it....they can go through the same thing trying to pass you.

Answer 9

Probably need to pay better attention to ongoing current traffic situations. Watch who and what is near your car at all times, even if you're not going to change lanes. When you know that you are going to need a change, slow or speed up a bit as necessary to make the necessary room. Remember, just because your car fits into the space you're taking doesn't mean you're leaving the person behind you enough room to feel safe. Turn on your turn signal sooner, let the rude people speed by if needed to allow you the room needed to be safe. Mirrors are good, and you need to practice using them to get how they help. Try using them when cars roll by or you go by them to gain experience in their look. Use all of the mirrors you have, they help once you are used to them. If your car has a large blind spot, be wary of cars that seem to hover in it... speed up or slow down as necessary. Good luck!

Answer 10

Well it really depends on the size of the car you have. I have a small Honda Accord and I have nearly no blind spot (enough confidense to not check them) with the way I have my 3 mirrors set up. . I have the side mirrors set up perfectly so I can see directly behind my car, off to the side a few feet, and also about 4 inches of the side of MY car. This gives me perfect vision behind me. If you can't get the mirrors set in yours where you have nearly no blind spot, you can go to Autozone or Pepboy and get a little stick-on convex mirror which you can put on the side mirrors which WILL eliminate your blind spots. Good Luck and Be Careful.