Driving question

[Wishimaywishimight]

Should you glance over your shoulder when changing lanes or exiting a roundabout? I did this today on a motorway driving lesson (i am fully lucensed), the instructor said this was wrong, that glancing over the shoulder is ONLY for take off, in all other circs only mirrors are to be used.

Any advice / clarification would be welcome.

I do to check blind spots.

Yes I would to check blind spots

Thanks both, that's what i thought/do. I checked several times and he insisted that it was dangerous to look over your shoulder as you could hit something in front. He said i would be penalised if i did that in a driving test.

I think it’s varies. I am often checking my mirrors so I would have an idea of the lane I’d be changing in to. I would check over my shoulder, but briefly. I’m not sure if you mean you checked several times on one manoeuvre (which feels too much to me) or several times throughout the drive

Some cars also have sensor lights on the wing mirrors which come on when something is in your blind spot.

I do check my blind spot but I was told my my pass plus tutor that I shouldn't do it on a motorway so I try and check my mirrors a lot more regularly so I know who is overtaking and where they are. Doesn't help when someone is bombing it at 95mph though so i still sometimes have a cheeky quick glance.

In busy traffic I'll do a quick check, otherwise no because I'll be checking my mirrors often anyway.

I always do it. I was taught to do it by my Dad. Once on the M6 I only used my mirrors and almost hit a car, so since then I always do it!

@caulkheaded, it was just one over the shoulder glance when joinung the motorway, one when changing lane etc. Those sensors sound great!

I tend not to. When I did my advanced driving test, it was drummed into us to constantly monitor the mirrors so you shouldn't get caught out by anyone in your blind spot, hence no need for shoulder checks.

@neillsfavouritechilli, that's exactly what the instructor said, that if i used the mirrors correctly there is no need for the glance over the shoulder. It just feels counter-intuitive to me!

My dd has just passed her test and was also taught not to look at blind spots. I find it completely terrifying!

British cars have better wing mirrors -- in American cars I always check.

I had refresher lessons a few years back and he said not to check my blind spot, but the Highway Code says you should (and I do).

Yes because I've found something in my blind spot before that I could have crashed into