A driver parked parallel to the curb on a busy two-way city street prepares to pull out into the live travel lane. The driver checks the interior rearview mirror and the left side mirror, finding both completely clear, and activates the left turn signal. Which action must the driver execute immediately before moving the vehicle into the travel lane?
- ALean forward toward the steering wheel to expand the field of view provided by the left side mirror.
- Perform a physical head check over the left shoulder to look directly into the vehicle's left blind spot.Answer
- CTap the horn twice to warn potentially hidden traffic before pulling away from the curb.
- DAccelerate rapidly into the roadway while relying on the interior rearview mirror to monitor trailing vehicles.
Answer
The driver must perform a physical head check over the left shoulder to look directly into the vehicle's left blind spot.
The correct action is to turn the head and perform a direct physical shoulder check over the left shoulder. Rearview and side mirrors leave blind spots around the rear side windows and quarter panels where motorcycles, bicycles, and other vehicles can be hidden from mirror view.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Physical head checks over the shoulder are mandatory because vehicle mirrors leave blind spots that hide adjacent road users.