Whilst completing the manoeuvre, continue looking forward in the direction of travel in case the traffic conditions change unexpectedly.

Make sure that you execute the manoeuvre smoothly at a suitable speed and with little steering input to avoid jerking the steering wheel. Once you have checked your mirrors, indicated, and checked your blind spot, commence the manoeuvre if it’s safe and clear. You can avoid this by simply looking over your shoulder (chin to shoulder) to check before moving your position. Many accidents occur because drivers don’t check their blindspots first. Other vehicles and/or motorcycles can be easily hidden in a vehicles blind spot. It’s paramount that you perform a head or shoulder check and check your blind spots before changing lanes. This can result in a crash and or fines/loss of points. Failing to indicate is not only unsafe but it’s also an offence. Don’t indicate at the same time you commence changing. Make sure to warn other drivers of your intention by indicating for at least 3-5 seconds before changing your position. This is to assess the flow of other vehicles and to identify a safe gap depending on which lane you’re changing into. This includes your rear-view and side mirrors. The first thing to check is your mirrors. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change lanes safely and correctly: 1. If you’re a learner driver, your driving instructor will take you through these steps also. This applies regardless of whether you’re merging left or right from a zipper lane.

Zip or zipper merging is when two lanes of traffic merge into one and the lane markings have ended before the lane ends.

The only time other drivers must give way to you, is when the lane you’re travelling in is a zip lane and any part of your vehicle is travelling ahead of another vehicle. You must also give way to other traffic if you have to cross over any lines that show the lane is ending and you have to merge into a line of traffic. It’s important to remember that when you want to change lanes, you must give way to other vehicles that are already in your intended lane or line of traffic.

Changing lanes look over the shoulder