What is a good practice when preparing to make a turn?

When preparing to make a turn, moving your head and body to check blind spots is essential for ensuring safety. This practice allows drivers to have a more comprehensive view of their surroundings, including areas that mirrors may not cover. Checking blind spots is crucial because vehicles or pedestrians can be present where the driver cannot see them through mirrors alone, potentially leading to accidents if not addressed.

Being aware of your environment and confirming that the path is clear helps prevent collisions and ensures that all road users— including cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians—are accounted for during the maneuver. This proactive approach to driving fosters safer turning practices and is an integral part of overall defensive driving.

In contrast, waiting until the last moment to signal can create confusion and increase the risk of an accident, as other drivers may not have adequate time to react. Relying only on mirrors ignores the limitations they have, and ignoring traffic behind compromises awareness of potential hazards in critical situations.