Use of Mirrors When Driving

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors - we talk about these a lot in driving lessons. It may seem overwhelming sometimes, and there may have been occasions when you've thought to yourself, "What's the point? I never see anything in them anyway!". Either way, the use of mirrors a fundamental safety-related aspect of driving and today we are going to delve into this subject head first.

Why Mirrors Matter

Mirrors are the unsung heroes of driving. Without downplaying their importance, they can literally save a life. But ultimately, they are just a piece of glass inside a plastic casing, and they're only as good as their user!

In general, you will have the use of three mirrors - your rearview mirror and the two wing mirrors, to your left and right. You may have 'blind spot mirrors' attached to your wing mirrors as well.

Used in the right way, at the right times, your mirrors allow you an enhanced view around your vehicle. Cyclists, motorbikes, pedestrians, children, animals, and so much more can be seen around you, and having an awareness of what's happening around you will keep you, others, and property all the more safer.

Different Mirror Types

Have you ever noticed that the way things look in a rearview mirror differs from that in your wing mirrors? It's surprising that many people don't notice this, but they do in fact have a critical difference - the glass.

The rearview mirror is made of flat glass, so the image you see is not distorted. What this means for you is that you will have a 'true' image - what you see is what you get. If the following car looks to be about 10 metres away, it is 10 metres away.

In contrast to this, your wing mirrors are made of convex glass, which means they curve outward slightly. For you, this will allow for a wider field of vision out to the sides of your vehicles, but be aware, it also makes things appear further away. Therefore, you have to be very cautious when you are trying to judge the distance of any traffic around you.

Blind spot mirrors, on the other hand, tend to have more of a 'fish eye' shape to them, which, similar to convex glass, opens up the field of vision. They are normally rather small, so their use is limited, especially at higher speeds.

When to Use Mirrors When Driving

When to use mirrors when driving is a HUGE subject, and it would make for one incredibly long read if we were to list all the occasions when mirror checks are required.

However, we can condense these down to a short list of categories to help you start to understand.

We have a useful acronym to assist you:

DIRECTION

OVERTAKING

SPEED

SIGNAL

Mirror checks should be completed in plenty of time. This way, you allow yourself the opportunity to assess what you see, to consider your response, and to deal with whatever it is you see.

Mirrors should be checked before changing direction, overtaking, changing your speed, or signalling. Think of checking them as a safety-related task. If you're planning on doing any of those things, you need to check it's safe to do so. If you check your mirrors during or after you've done any of those things, the mirror checks become rather redundant.

It's also important to remember there is a difference between 'looking' and 'seeing'. What I mean by this is it's all well and good looking at your mirrors, but are you truly seeing what's there? So, take your time, and allow yourself time to absorb what's being reflected. Remember, check your mirrors effectively and frequently.

If you don't look, then you don't know. If you don't know, then you can't manage the risk.

Consequences of Not Checking Your Mirrors

I want you to reflect on your use of mirrors (pun intended!). Can you honestly say you always use them? Can you honestly say you're fully aware of your surroundings at all times?

Actions have consequences, and they can be terrible. I have personally had experiences in driving where I have seen a cyclist in my wing mirror and have thought to myself If I hadn't checked my mirror, I probably would have hit them. The risk is there, and the risk is real.

Please don't allow yourself to get caught out by becoming complacent and thinking about the fact you never see any danger in your mirrors - that day may come, so stay safe.

If you would like further help in your use of mirrors or are looking to start driving lessons or join our franchise, get in touch here.

Stay safe,

Adrian

Company Owner