Why is checking blind spots before changing lanes necessary?

Checking blind spots before changing lanes is essential for ensuring there are no unseen vehicles in those areas. Blind spots are the areas around your vehicle that cannot be directly seen through mirrors, making it possible for other vehicles, especially smaller ones like motorcycles or bicycles, to go unnoticed. If a driver changes lanes without checking these spots, they risk a collision with an unseen vehicle, which could lead to serious accidents. This precaution is vital for maintaining safety on the road and for the well-being of all road users.

The other options do not directly relate to the need for checking blind spots prior to a lane change: monitoring fuel consumption, assessing weather conditions, and determining distance to another vehicle are relevant to driving practices but do not address the specific risk presented by unseen vehicles in blind spots. Therefore, focusing on the visibility of surrounding traffic is critical for safe lane changing.