You do it every day… but changing lanes and merging are some of the riskiest maneuvers that drivers do. Lane-changing and merging collisions account for more than 30% of all crashes. Most are avoidable if we follow some simple guidelines.
Changing lanes should take about four seconds. Slow lane changes allow for evasive action in case a vehicle is missed in a blind spot or a driver comes up fast in the lane. It also allows you time to check your mirrors and look over your shoulder.
Safe Merging Tips
- Look down the entrance ramp to see if traffic is stopped ahead and look at the traffic flow of the road you will merge onto.
- Find an opening and adjust your speed accordingly.
- Always check and re-check your mirrors.
- Look over your shoulder before fully committing to a merge.
- Know the acceleration characteristics of your vehicle, so that you can properly time your entry into the traffic flow.
- If traffic in front of you comes to a stop, before you can merge, always be sure to look to the front of your vehicle before you begin to accelerate to avoid rear-ending a stopped vehicle in front of you.
- When traffic will be merging, move over a lane, if possible, or increase the space in front of your vehicle, to allow vehicles to merge into your lane.
- When you need to exit a road near a merge area, leave additional space in front of your vehicle, signal your intentions early and check your mirrors before entering the deceleration lane.
Use SMOG to help make safe lane changes:
- Signal your intentions. Keep your turn signal on, until you are fully in the other lane.
- Mirrors – Check your mirrors for vehicles in the lane you want to enter.
- Over your shoulder – Look over your shoulder to check the blind spot, just before committing to your lane change.
Go – Once you have signaled and checked the lane is clear, change lanes.
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Reliable Safety Solutions Consulting provides safety consulting, OSHA and DOT compliance, safety training, mock OSHA or DOT audits and inspections to clients. We identify technology, training, and processes to take your safety program to the next level. Visit www.reliablesafetysolutions.net or contact us at 570-939-7735.
