Should You Brake or Accelerate When Changing Lanes?
2 Answers
When changing lanes, you should first accelerate. Things to note when changing lanes: When deciding to change lanes, pay attention to the position of the vehicles behind you. You should be able to see the entire front of the vehicle behind you in the side mirrors before changing lanes. Also, be mindful of blind spots to avoid collisions with vehicles in those areas. When merging, gradually turn the steering wheel. A smooth and linear steering input not only gives the following vehicle enough reaction time but also provides you with ample time to make adjustments. Accelerating when changing lanes: At this point, avoid slowing down gradually. Instead, merge quickly and then tap the accelerator—do not decelerate. The key to changing lanes while driving is to ensure the following vehicle does not need to brake. Change lanes swiftly to minimize the time spent in the transition. Accelerating during the lane change ensures your speed exceeds that of the following vehicle, leaving enough safe distance for both you and the other driver. One more tip: Always keep an eye on the road ahead to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front. Additionally, avoid changing two lanes at once, as you may only have a limited view of the road ahead and may not be aware of the situation behind you.
To be honest, I used to struggle with this issue when I first started driving. Later, an experienced driver taught me: it's better not to brake when changing lanes, but to lightly press the accelerator to speed up slightly. Why? Because braking reduces your speed, and if the car behind doesn't react in time, it can easily lead to a rear-end collision, especially during peak traffic hours when congestion is heavy. I once braked while changing lanes on the highway, and the car immediately shook violently, almost losing control—just thinking about it now still gives me chills. The correct approach is to observe the rearview mirror and blind spots in advance, confirm a safe distance, signal with the turn indicator, and then gently press the accelerator to merge smoothly into the new lane. This way, your speed remains consistent, the car stays stable, and you won't provoke honking or collisions from the car behind. Of course, in emergencies, you need to be flexible—for example, if there's an accident ahead requiring you to slow down, prioritize braking to stabilize the car before considering a lane change. In short, treat lane changes as an opportunity to adjust speed, and maintaining smoothness is key.