Which behavior is most critical when making turns in a combination vehicle?

The most critical behavior when making turns in a combination vehicle is carefully checking for other vehicles and obstacles. This is essential because combination vehicles, which may include tractor-trailers and other large vehicles, have significant blind spots and require more space to maneuver than standard vehicles.

When making a turn, it’s vital to be aware of your surroundings to ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users. This includes checking mirrors and looking over your shoulder to identify any vehicles or obstacles that may not be visible in your mirrors. Taking the time to do this can help prevent accidents and ensure that the turn is executed smoothly and safely.

Other options, such as speeding through intersections, avoiding traffic laws, or using high beams, do not contribute positively to the safety of turning a combination vehicle. Speeding can lead to losing control, while ignoring traffic laws increases the risk of collisions. Using high beams is often not necessary in urban or well-lit areas and may blind other drivers. Hence, careful observation remains the key practice for making turns in these larger vehicles.