Which of the following is an important step before changing lanes?

Signaling your intention before changing lanes is a crucial step in driving safety and communication. It informs other drivers of your intention to move into a different lane, allowing them to anticipate your actions and adjust accordingly. This is essential for maintaining a safe driving environment and helps to prevent accidents. Signaling gives other road users the opportunity to yield or adjust their speed, which is especially important in busy traffic conditions.

Other steps, such as checking fuel levels or looking in only the side mirror, do not directly contribute to the safety of changing lanes. While checking your mirrors and looking over your shoulder are important before making a lane change, relying solely on your side mirror can leave blind spots unchecked. Accelerating quickly is not advisable when changing lanes, as it can lead to unsafe conditions. Therefore, signaling is the foundational action that ensures safe lane changes.