If you see a car approaching in your left side mirror, what should you do before turning left?

When preparing to make a left turn, it is essential to ensure that the road is clear of approaching vehicles, particularly from the left where the turning motion will lead you. By waiting until the car in your left side mirror passes, you are prioritizing safety and ensuring that the turn can be made without interference or risk of a collision.

This cautious approach allows you to assess the speed and distance of the approaching vehicle, confirming it is safe to proceed. It is crucial to maintain awareness of your surroundings and to ensure that you are not obstructing another vehicle's path, which could result in dangerous situations.

While other actions may seem like they could expedite your turn, such as immediately turning left or speeding up, those choices would increase the risk of an accident. Additionally, checking the right side mirror is not relevant in this scenario since the concern is about the vehicle approaching from the left. It is vital to focus solely on the traffic conditions on your immediate left before making the turn.