When leaving the curb from a parked position, how can you gain the best visibility?

To gain the best visibility when leaving the curb from a parked position, looking over the proper shoulder is essential. This action allows you to directly check for any oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or bicycles in your blind spots that are not visible in your mirrors. While mirrors are useful, they do not provide a complete view of the area immediately around your vehicle. By physically turning your head and looking over your shoulder, you ensure that you are aware of all potential hazards before merging back into traffic, thereby enhancing your safety and that of others on the road. Additionally, this technique accounts for the limitations of mirrors, which can miss objects that are close to your vehicle.