When driving a car, it is important to keep an eye on the surrounding traffic at all times. This helps you to understand what the drivers in the surroundings are doing. It will also make it easier for you to decide when to change lanes or turn safely. To be able to have a good view of the road around you, you need to adjust the rearview mirror inside the car before you get behind the wheel, then observe it at certain precise moments.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Adjust the Mirror
Step 1. Position the seat
Before adjusting the mirror, make sure the seat is in the correct driving position. Move it forward or backward, recline it if necessary, raise or lower it if you can.
It is important to adjust the seat so that you can easily reach the pedals of the car. Make sure you get to the accelerator, brake and clutch if any
Step 2. Put on the belt
You are now in the final driving position. If you adjusted the mirror before fastening the seat belt, you could change your position while driving.
It is important for your safety to always drive with your seat belt fastened
Step 3. Move the rearview mirror
Make sure you can clearly see the traffic behind you. You should be able to observe the road behind you, as well as the horizon line and some space above it. To do this, make sure you can see the entire rear window in the mirror.
- To adjust the mirror, simply angle it differently. It should be easy to orient without running the risk of detaching it.
- Do not adjust the mirror so that you can see one side of the rear window more than the other. This would limit your overall view of the road. Use the side mirrors to check the sides of the car.
Step 4. Make small corrections when you stop
If after starting to drive you feel that the mirror needs better adjustment, adjust it during a stop. It can be dangerous to do it on the go, because you always have to stay focused on traffic when you are behind the wheel.
As you drive, the vibration of the vehicle can change the position of the rearview mirror. Pay attention to this when you are behind the wheel and if necessary adjust the mirror when you stop
Step 5. Adjust the mirror every time you drive
In order not to risk, follow this advice. You can't trust the position the mirror was in the last time you got in the car. Someone may have moved it without your knowledge, or you may be sitting slightly differently.
Part 2 of 2: Using the Driving Mirror
Step 1. Check your rearview mirror regularly
Even if you have to drive a straight stretch on the freeway with no traffic, it is important to know what is going on behind you. To do this, look in the mirror every 5-8 seconds.
- This habit allows you to stay up to date on the traffic conditions behind you.
- It also gives you the chance to observe cars passing you and even cars moving in a dangerous or confusing way behind you.
Step 2. Look in the rearview mirror before changing positions on the road
Do this before starting and stopping, overtaking, turning, changing lanes, pulling over or any other movement of the car. Basically, whatever movement you make when driving, check the mirror first, in order to ensure your safety.
When changing lanes, use the side and rearview mirrors in combination to see if you have the green light. Do the same when turning to check that no obstacles are hiding in your blind spot. All these precautions allow you to move on the street with greater safety
Step 3. Use the rearview mirror when reversing
This tool is especially important when backing out. In fact, the mirror helps you to understand when you have a clear road and allows you to avoid collisions with other cars, people or objects.
When reversing, don't just rely on the rearview mirror. Also check the side mirrors and turn directly, so you can see with your own eyes what is behind the car and assess the situation well. After all, it's always better not to take risks
Step 4. Observe the rearview mirror when you are in heavy traffic
This tool can provide you with a lot of useful information when trying to deal with a stressful and confusing driving situation. For example, use the mirror to assess whether reversing can help you get out of a confined space or would only make the situation worse.
Step 5. If you can, use the mirror before stopping suddenly
Before braking hard, observe for a second to see if there are any cars too close to you that won't be able to slow down. In this case, consider changing lanes or braking more slowly. If you can't do it, knowing that you are about to be hit will give you a few moments to prepare for the impact.
- If you are already in the habit of looking in the rearview mirror at regular intervals, you probably always know if you have a fairly close car behind you. This will help you quickly gauge the distance between the cars and figure out if anyone following you will have a chance to stop before hitting you.
- Learning to judge how far the cars are behind you will help you choose how quickly to brake to prevent rear-end collisions.
