What should you do to ensure a motorcycle is not in your blind spot before changing lanes?

To ensure a motorcycle is not in your blind spot before changing lanes, glancing over your shoulder is the most effective method. This action allows you to visually confirm the presence of any vehicles, including motorcycles, that may be in the blind spot, which is an area not visible in your mirrors.

Mirrors have limitations, especially for smaller vehicles like motorcycles, which can easily go unnoticed. While checking mirrors is important, it doesn’t provide the complete view needed to be fully aware of your surroundings. Additionally, signaling before checking or waiting to hear the motorcycle would not guarantee its position. These approaches could lead to unsafe lane changes if a motorcycle is present, as they don’t enable a thorough assessment of the road around you. Thus, the act of glancing over the shoulder ensures a clear understanding of the area, promoting safer driving practices.