How often should you check your blind spots?

Checking your blind spots before changing lanes or merging is essential for safe driving. Blind spots are areas around your vehicle that cannot be seen using mirrors alone, and other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists can easily occupy these spaces without your knowledge. By turning your head and looking over your shoulder, you ensure that the area beside and behind your car is clear before making any lateral movements.

This practice is particularly crucial just prior to a lane change or merging because that is when you are most likely to encounter other road users who might be in your blind spot. Neglecting to check these areas can lead to accidents, as other vehicles might be traveling at high speeds or be positioned much closer than anticipated.

In contrast, only checking your blind spots when stopped or at traffic lights is inadequate since these moments do not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of driving. Regular intervals like every 30 minutes of driving do not correspond to the critical moments when lane changes and merges occur, making the method impractical. Therefore, prioritizing checks of blind spots before altering your path aligns with safe driving practices and enhances overall road safety.