A driver changing lanes must yield the right-of-way to a driver already in a lane. However, his problem began much earlier when he didn't notice the sign warning him that the right lane was coming to an end.

Good drivers make a habit of looking 10 to 15 seconds ahead of their cars. This way they can spot a problem early, while they still have plenty of time to do something about it. In the city, 10 to 15 seconds is about a block ahead. At highway speeds, it is about a quarter of a mile or about as far ahead as you can see clearly.

The driver of Car Two might have prevented the accident. He could see that the other driver was not paying attention. He could have dropped back to allow room for a last minute swerve.

You cannot watch out for everyone else on the road. You can, however, learn to spot the people who are most likely to cause you trouble. This includes:

	People who cannot see you, such as people whose vision is blocked by snow-covered windows, buildings close to intersections, or other cars.
	People who are distracted, such as people engaged in conversation, people trying to read house numbers, or children chasing after toys.
	People who are confused, such as a tourist at a confusing intersection, or a driver who is hesitating for what seems like no good reason.

The driver of Car 3:  Could also have seen that trouble was brewing. He could have dropped back to let Car Two make a quick lane change.

Rule Number 1: Make a habit of looking well down the road – 10 to 15 seconds ahead.