Your rear-view mirror
Your side-view mirrors
Wrapping up
Your rear-view mirror
Almost all drivers are taught that the first thing you should do upon entering your vehicle to go for a drive is to adjust your mirrors so that you have both a clear and full view behind your car and to each side of it. This is because it could take a possible valuable moment to adjust them when you are driving which can be the difference between getting into an accident or not. So, whenever you get into your car, the first thing you should do is to check and adjust your rearview mirror.
Your rearview mirror is used so that you can see what is behind you which is primarily useful when you are going to be backing up or changing lanes. You will want to make sure that your rear-view mirror is angled so that you have a full view of the road behind you and not of the roof of your car or of your rear passenger seats. When you are adjusting your rear-view mirror, ensure that you are sitting in your normal position with your regular driving posture. The overall goal will be to be able to take a quick look at this mirror, without turning your head, in order to instantly assess the situation directly behind your vehicle.
Your side-view mirrors
Your car’s side view mirrors are also quite crucial to your ability to drive and maneuver with complete safety. These mirrors allow you to see what is behind your car but to the left or right. Your sideview mirrors allow you to change lanes or perform maneuvers like parallel parking with much more ease than if you did not have them.
However, you will still need to check over your shoulder because these mirrors allow for what is known as a “blind spot” on each side. A blind spot is an area on either side of your car and slightly to the rear where another vehicle, pedestrian or obstacle can be in very close proximity without you being able to see it in any mirror. Over eighty thousand car accidents happen in the United States each year directly because of someone’s failure to check their blind spot correctly according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Association.
Another reason to not rely solely on your side-view mirrors is because they allow objects such as other cars to be closer than they actually appear. This can give you the dangerous illusion of having enough room to do something like change your lane when you actually do not.
Once you have checked and adjusted your rearview mirror, you should do the same with each of your sideview mirrors. You should ensure that both your right and left sideview mirrors give you a clear view of the road or area to the corresponding side of your vehicle. You should see a little bit of your own car with an even view on the horizon on both sides.
Wrapping up
Your car’s mirrors make life much easier and safer when you are driving. They will help you avoid putting a strain on your neck by having to constantly turn your head. Your mirrors will also provide you with quick and easy views of the road that you otherwise would not have had which directly increases overall safety in a very big way. All you need to do is to remember to properly adjust your mirrors each and every time that you get into your car. You must also ensure that you always turn your head to check your blind spot each time you do something like change lanes.
