What IPDE step do you follow when you need to change lanes?

When you need to change lanes, the step you follow is to decide. This involves analyzing the situation after you've already identified important factors such as the position of other vehicles, road conditions, and obstacles. In this context, the decision-making step is crucial because it involves weighing your options and determining whether it's safe and appropriate to make the lane change.

During the identify phase, you recognize crucial elements in your environment, such as traffic signals, the speed of surrounding vehicles, and any potential hazards. After identifying these factors, the next step is to predict what might happen if you change lanes, considering how other drivers might react and how your actions may affect the traffic flow.

Once you've made a thoughtful decision to change lanes based on the information you've identified and predicted, the next steps would be to execute the maneuver safely. This involves actually steering the vehicle into the new lane while signaling your intent and observing for any sudden changes in traffic conditions.

In essence, the decision-making step is vital in ensuring safe lane changes, as it allows drivers to consider various elements that influence their ability to change lanes safely.