What is a good way to determine if it's safe to return to your driving lane after passing another vehicle?

Determining if it's safe to return to your driving lane after passing another vehicle is crucial for road safety. The correct answer highlights the importance of visual cues, particularly the headlights of the vehicle you just passed. When you can see the headlights of the vehicle in your rearview mirror, it indicates that you have cleared the vehicle’s path and can safely merge back into your lane.

This visual check ensures that there is sufficient space between your vehicle and the one you passed, significantly reducing the risk of a collision. It acts as a confirmation that the vehicle you overtook is at a safe distance and is not likely to be in your way as you maneuver back into your lane.

Hearing the engine of the vehicle you passed is not a reliable method for assessing safety, as engine sounds do not provide accurate information about distance or speed. The appearance and disappearance of a turn signal may not guarantee that the vehicle is safely out of your way, as it does not account for their speed relative to yours. Additionally, simply seeing that there’s no longer a vehicle in front of you does not address the position of the vehicle you just passed, which could still pose a hazard if you move back too early. Thus, the visual confirmation of the vehicle's headlights in