Changing lanes is a routine driving task, but doing it safely requires planning, observation and good judgment. You need to know what is happening around your vehicle, choose a suitable gap, communicate your intention and make sure the manoeuvre will not interfere with other traffic.
Plan your move
Start thinking about lane changes well before you need to make one. Watch for upcoming intersections, exits, lane reductions and turns so that you have time to choose the correct lane without making a last-minute manoeuvre.
Consider whether changing lanes is necessary at all. Every lane change creates another opportunity for a conflict with surrounding traffic. If you can safely continue in your present lane, there may be no reason to move.
If you need to cross more than one lane, plan each move separately. Check the traffic and establish a safe position in one lane before considering the next. Do not sweep across several lanes in a single, hurried manoeuvre.
Mirror, signal, shoulder check, move
A useful sequence to follow is: mirror, signal, shoulder check, move. Each step has a purpose, and none should be treated as a substitute for the others.
- Check your mirrors. Assess the position and speed of traffic ahead, behind and in the lane you intend to enter. Check whether another vehicle is approaching quickly or following close behind.
- Signal your intention. Signal before beginning to move so that other drivers have time to recognize what you intend to do. Keep signalling as you make the lane change.
- Shoulder check. Look into the blind spot on the side toward which you intend to move. A vehicle, motorcycle or other road user may be beside you without being visible in your mirrors.
- Move smoothly. If the gap remains safe, steer into the adjacent lane in a controlled manner. Avoid abrupt steering or braking, and maintain an appropriate speed.
Keep observing traffic throughout the manoeuvre. Conditions can change between your initial mirror check and the moment you begin moving. If a vehicle enters the gap, the available space closes or the manoeuvre no longer appears safe, wait rather than force your way in.
Blind-spot monitoring systems can provide useful additional information, but they do not replace checking your surroundings and looking over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Choose a safe gap
The space between vehicles must be large enough for you to enter without forcing another driver to brake, swerve or otherwise change their travel to avoid you. Consider both the distance available and the relative speeds of the vehicles involved.
A gap that looks adequate when viewed in a mirror may be closing quickly if the vehicle behind is travelling faster than you are. Similarly, moving into a small space ahead of a large truck may leave its driver with too little room to respond if you slow down.
Do not judge a gap solely by whether your vehicle will physically fit. You also need enough room to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead and to avoid creating an unsafe situation for the driver behind.
If the gap is too small, leave your signal on and wait for a suitable opportunity, provided it remains safe to do so. You may need to adjust your speed gradually or allow traffic to pass before trying again.
Give other drivers time to respond
A signal communicates your intention; it does not give you priority over traffic already occupying the lane. Other drivers may choose to make room for you, but you must not assume that they will do so.
At the same time, drivers who see another vehicle signalling to enter their lane can help make the manoeuvre safer by maintaining a predictable speed and, when appropriate, allowing enough space for it to enter. Avoid accelerating simply to prevent another driver from merging.
Courtesy does not mean surrendering a safe following distance or braking suddenly. Any adjustment should be made smoothly and with attention to the traffic behind you.
Where can you change lanes?
Section 151 of British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act sets out important requirements for driving on a laned roadway. Among other things, a driver must not move from one lane to another across a broken line unless the driver has ascertained that the movement can be made safely and will not affect the travel of another vehicle. A driver must also signal before changing lanes and must not make a lane change that requires crossing a solid line.
A solid line separating lanes is a restriction on crossing it to change lanes. Pay attention to lane markings and signs, particularly near intersections, crosswalks, merging areas and highway exits, where markings may indicate that a lane change is not permitted.
Changing lanes in an intersection is not, by itself, automatically prohibited by section 151. However, it may be unwise when traffic is turning, entering or leaving the roadway, or when other road users may be moving into the same space. Make the decision based on the markings, signs, traffic conditions and whether the movement can be completed safely.
Leave yourself an alternative
Safe driving includes being prepared to change your plan. If another vehicle occupies the space you intended to use, if traffic slows unexpectedly or if you discover a vehicle in your blind spot, remain in your lane until you can make a safe move.
Missing an exit or turn is preferable to making a sudden lane change that puts you or someone else at risk. Continue to a place where you can change direction safely.
Once you have completed the lane change, check that you have an appropriate following distance and cancel your signal if it has not cancelled automatically.
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