What should you listen for before moving the car?

Listening for traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians before moving your car is crucial for ensuring safety. This practice helps you be aware of your surroundings and detect any potential hazards that could pose a risk to you or others on the road. By being attentive to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, you can better assess when it is safe to proceed.

Sound cues from the environment, such as the noise from vehicles or the presence of people nearby, can alert you to situations that may not be visible. For instance, if you hear a bicycle approaching or if a pedestrian is close by, it allows you to wait for them to pass before you begin moving, thereby preventing accidents.

While engine sounds and brake sounds may indicate the condition of your vehicle, they do not provide critical information about the immediate surroundings that could affect the safety of your maneuvers. Moreover, listening to music from the stereo can distract you from paying attention to vital environmental sounds. Therefore, focusing on the sound of traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians is essential for making informed and safe driving decisions.