Signaling communicates your intended movement to other drivers, so you use it to warn of a turn or lane change and then stop signaling once that action is finished. After you complete the turn, you should cancel the signal because leaving it on can mislead others into thinking you’re about to turn again or change lanes when you’re not. This helps prevent confusion and potential hazards as you proceed straight or prepare for your next move. The signal should be used only for the maneuver you’re about to perform and then turned off; re-signal every block or keep it on for a long distance isn’t necessary and can confuse other drivers. You don’t wait to turn off the signal only if another turn is planned immediately—you turn it off once the current maneuver is done.

When you can’t safely change lanes to give space to a stationary emergency or service vehicle with flashing lights, the smart and required move is to slow down to a safe speed and pass with caution. The idea is to create a safer buffer around workers and equipment, reducing the chance of a crash if a driver or passenger suddenly steps into the roadway or a vehicle moves. Slowing down keeps you in your lane and minimizes the risk of a collision with the stopped vehicle or with workers who may be near the roadway. Moving into the next lane anyway isn’t safe if the lane change can’t be done without risk, and stopping in your lane can cause rear-end crashes and blocks traffic. Ignoring the vehicle is dangerous and illegal.

Before you change lanes, you need to actively check for vehicles in your blind spots by using your mirrors and adding a quick over-your-shoulder glance toward the lane you plan to enter. Mirrors show what’s behind and to the sides, but blind spots exist where they can’t see—so a short head turn helps confirm the lane is clear before you move. Relying on mirrors alone leaves those blind spots unchecked, and turning the steering wheel the other way doesn’t provide visibility into adjacent lanes. Looking over your shoulder after you’ve already started to move is unsafe because you could collide with a vehicle you didn’t see. Using both mirror checks and a quick shoulder check gives you a safer, more complete view before changing lanes.

Blue curb zones are set aside for parking by people with disabilities. You must display a valid disability placard or license plate to park there. This rule helps ensure accessible parking is available near building entrances for those who truly need it. If you park there without the placard or plate, you’re violating the law and can be fined or towed. (Other curb colors indicate different rules, like red for no stopping and yellow for loading zones, but blue is specifically for disability parking.)