When changing lanes with a combination vehicle, what should be prioritized?

Prioritizing awareness of blind spots and other vehicles is crucial when changing lanes with a combination vehicle. These types of vehicles, which typically include a truck pulling a trailer, have significant blind spots that can make it difficult for the driver to see surrounding traffic. Ensuring that these areas are clear before making a lane change helps to prevent collisions and promotes safer driving practices.

Maintaining an awareness of other vehicles is essential, as it allows the driver to gauge the speed and position of nearby traffic, ensuring that they can execute the maneuver safely. This heightened level of vigilance contributes to overall road safety, especially considering the size and length of combination vehicles which can affect their handling and turning radius compared to standard vehicles. Additionally, being conscious of blind spots is vital for ensuring that there are no unseen obstacles in the path of the lane change.

While other options such as checking mirrors and managing distractions are important, they do not hold the same weight in terms of immediate safety during the act of changing lanes as maintaining a clear awareness of the surrounding traffic conditions does.