How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

• A. Regularly— before changing lanes, turning, or stopping; generally every 5–8 seconds.
• B. Only when you feel uncomfortable.
• C. Every ten minutes.
• D. Only once per trip.

Answer: (A)

Regular mirror checks keep you aware of what’s happening around your vehicle. Before you change lanes, turn, or stop, quickly scan both mirrors to see what’s behind and to the sides, including your blind spots. Checking roughly every 5–8 seconds in steady traffic helps you spot changes—like a faster car closing in, a cyclist, or a vehicle that might not be visible in the blind spot—and gives you time to adjust your plan or slow down before acting. This proactive habit reduces surprises and helps you make safer decisions about when it’s safe to maneuver. In heavy or complex situations you’ll want to check even more often, since relying on peripheral vision alone can miss fast or unexpected moves by other road users.

Regular mirror checks keep you aware of what’s happening around your vehicle. Before you change lanes, turn, or stop, quickly scan both mirrors to see what’s behind and to the sides, including your blind spots. Checking roughly every 5–8 seconds in steady traffic helps you spot changes—like a faster car closing in, a cyclist, or a vehicle that might not be visible in the blind spot—and gives you time to adjust your plan or slow down before acting. This proactive habit reduces surprises and helps you make safer decisions about when it’s safe to maneuver. In heavy or complex situations you’ll want to check even more often, since relying on peripheral vision alone can miss fast or unexpected moves by other road users.