What should drivers always be mindful of when negotiating gaps in traffic?

When negotiating gaps in traffic, drivers should always be mindful of the length of their vehicle. This is crucial because understanding the dimensions of your vehicle directly affects how you assess whether a gap is large enough for you to safely maneuver into. Different vehicles, such as sedans or trucks, have varying lengths, which influences stopping distances and turning radiuses. If a driver misjudges the length of their vehicle, they may attempt to enter traffic when it's not safe, potentially leading to collisions or near-misses.

Other factors like the color of traffic lights, the number of passengers, and the type of vehicle may all play roles in overall driving awareness, but they do not have the same direct impact on safe gap negotiation as understanding and accounting for the actual size of the vehicle being driven. Being aware of your vehicle's length allows you to make more informed decisions about when and how to merge into traffic safely.