Developing a Scanning Routine Steer Clear | State Farm® (Music plays) (Text on screen) Developing a Scanning Routine (IMAGE) An animated car is seen driving down an animated roadway. Next, a different car is seen, surrounded by various signs and pedestrians. Then, the same car is seen spotlighted in a small circle, nothing else around it visible. Next, we see an overhead view of a car driving along, the areas of the driver’s focus indicated. (Announcer: Male voice) Drivers with years of good scanning skills see potential dangers early enough to avoid crashes. Unfortunately, new drivers tend to focus only on what's directly ahead of them. That's why this lesson is so important. A scanning routine will get you to expand your area of focus so you can spot potential hazards. (IMAGE) A car interior is seen from the driver’s perspective. The rear-view mirror toggles to indicate adjustment. Then we see the car in a parking lot. Next, the car interior is seen again. Each of the mirrors moves to indicate the need to check it, and then the area ahead of the car is highlighted. (Announcer: Male voice) Remember to adjust the mirrors every time you get behind the wheel. This will help maximize your area of visibility. During your practices in the parking lot, complete the scanning routine recommended by your driving instructor. For example, check your side view mirror. Check your rear-view mirror. Check your other side view mirror. And then look up ahead in the direction the car is moving. It's important to feel comfortable with this routine before you venture out on the road. (IMAGE) A thumbs-up icon appears above the car before it is seen driving away. Then three cars are seen driving in three lanes. The blind spots are indicated. Other cars appear on the roadway, blind spots indicated. One changes lanes, minding the blind spots. Next, we see more cars driving. The blind spots are indicated, illustrating where the other cars should not linger. (Announcer: Male voice) Another concept to understand is blind spots. Every vehicle has them to varying degrees. Blind spots are the areas to the sides of the vehicle that aren't covered by any of the mirrors. You'll need to physically turn your head to see something in your blind spot. It's vital to check your blind spots whenever you make a lateral move, change lanes, turn onto another road, or into a parking space. Also, it's important not to linger in anyone's blind spot if you're driving next to them.