Head checking, often referred to as a shoulder check, is a crucial driving technique for safety. It directly addresses the issue of blind spots.
What Exactly is Head Checking?
Head checking involves a brief, deliberate turn of your head to the side to look out your side window. This action allows you to see into the blind spots of your vehicle, areas not visible in your mirrors. It's critical for safe lane changes, merges, and turns.
How to Perform a Head Check:
- Before changing lanes or merging: Glance at your side mirror, then immediately turn your head to look into your blind spot on that side.
- Be quick and decisive: The head turn should be a swift motion, not a slow lingering look.
- Always look in the direction you're moving: Before turning or changing lanes to the left, check over your left shoulder. Before turning or changing lanes to the right, check over your right shoulder.
- Don't rely solely on mirrors: Mirrors may not always show everything in the blind spot.
- Head checks are crucial in all driving situations: They are essential in heavy traffic, on highways, and even in parking lots.
Why is Head Checking Important?
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Addresses Blind Spots | It allows you to see what your mirrors can't show. |
| Prevents Accidents | By identifying vehicles in your blind spot, you can avoid collisions. |
| Ensures Safe Lane Changes | Essential for knowing if it's safe to move into a neighboring lane. |
| Critical for Merging | Allows you to determine if it's safe to merge into traffic flow. |
| Safe Turning | Helps to identify cyclists or other vulnerable road users who may be in your blind spot. |
Examples:
- When changing from the right lane to the left lane on the highway, a head check to the left is necessary to ensure no cars are next to you in the lane you want to enter.
- Before turning right at an intersection, head checking to the right will help in identifying any cyclists or pedestrians that may not have been in your mirrors' line of sight.
Conclusion
Head checking is an essential safety procedure. It involves a quick turn of the head to look into your blind spot, not relying solely on mirrors, thus promoting safe driving by improving awareness of your surroundings. It's not just good practice, it's a critical component of defensive driving.
