How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

Checking your mirrors regularly, at least every 5-10 seconds, is essential for maintaining awareness of your surroundings while driving. This practice allows you to monitor traffic conditions, identify potential hazards, and assess the positions of other vehicles around you. Frequent mirror checks help you stay informed about what is happening behind and alongside your vehicle, which is crucial for safe driving.

In fast-paced driving situations, such as in heavy traffic or when approaching intersections, the need to check mirrors becomes even more critical. By making it a habit to look at your mirrors regularly, you enhance your ability to react to sudden changes or emergencies, such as another driver making an unexpected move.

Relying solely on mirror checks only when changing lanes or merging onto a freeway could lead to missing other critical developments in traffic. This could result in an increased risk of accidents or near-misses. Therefore, regular mirror checks are a fundamental part of defensive driving, promoting both your safety and that of others on the road.