As fascinating as human vision is, it is not always perfect. The depth perception and reaction times of humans can be excellent, but they are not always enough to prevent road traffic accidents.
When you were taking your driving lessons, it is likely that the instructor emphasized mirrors over and over again. This was not done without purpose, but because mirrors are vitally important to driver safety. Mirrors afford you an opportunity to see things that would otherwise have been out with your visual field.
Having mirrors that point to the rear and both sides of your vehicle is not enough, you need to know how to use them effectively. Here are some tips:
Take time to make adjustments before you start
First and foremost, you need to calibrate your mirrors so that they are positioned optimally. This can and should be done before you even set off. Your rearview mirror should show the road behind you while your side mirrors should show the areas to the side of your car. Many people make the mistake of pointing their side mirrors towards the doors of the car. This is not really helpful and your side mirrors are much more useful if they point to the area directly to the side of your vehicle.
Check them regularly while in motion
You would be hard-pressed to overuse your mirrors. Before turning, you should check all mirrors before committing to the maneuver. Even if you are on a straight piece of road, using your mirrors allows you to monitor what is going on behind you and in the adjacent lanes. In terms of safety, effective mirror use may allow you to spot a potential problem before it becomes a serious problem, meaning that you make it to your destination in one piece.
Seeing what is going on around you is pivotal to staying protected. Sadly, not all accidents are avoidable and if you have been hurt on the road, you should look into your legal options.
