How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

Checking your mirrors frequently, especially before changing lanes, is essential for safe driving. This habit allows you to maintain awareness of your surroundings and be cognizant of other vehicles around you. It helps in identifying blind spots, understanding traffic conditions, and spotting any potential hazards or changes that might affect your driving.

Frequent mirror checks foster situational awareness, ensuring that you're informed about nearby vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists. This practice significantly enhances your ability to make safe maneuvers, like lane changes or turns, because it ensures that you are always knowledgeable of your immediate environment. It's a fundamental aspect of defensive driving, contributing to overall road safety.

Other suggested frequencies, such as checking mirrors only when turning, approaching intersections, or every few minutes, do not promote the proactive awareness necessary for safe driving. These approaches may lead to gaps in attention that could result in accidents or near-misses, as the driver might not be as informed and prepared for sudden changes in the driving environment.