What must you check before passing another vehicle?

Before passing another vehicle, it is essential to check your blind spots and surroundings. This is crucial for ensuring safety while maneuvering in traffic. Checking blind spots helps you identify any vehicles that may not be visible in your mirrors, such as those approaching quickly from behind or vehicles that might occupy the lane you intend to move into.

Additionally, scanning your surroundings allows you to be aware of other factors that may affect your decision to pass, including the presence of cyclists, pedestrians, or obstacles on the road. This comprehensive check reduces the risk of collision and promotes safer driving behavior, ensuring that you only proceed with the maneuver when it is completely clear to do so.

In contrast, solely relying on the rearview mirror or speedometer does not provide a full picture of the traffic environment around you and can lead to critical oversights when navigating roadways. Likewise, neglecting to check at all compromises safety and increases the likelihood of accidents. Thus, a thorough examination of blind spots and surroundings is necessary for safe driving practices.