Driving With Your Mirrors

Driving With Your Mirrors

You have a big windshield to look through as you drive but don’t put those blinders on to the rest of the world. Practicing good driving habits also means proper positioning and use of your mirrors inside and outside your vehicle.

In other words, you’re not just looking ahead as you drive, but out to the side and behind you as well. The Ft. Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at the Florida Injury Law Group recommend checking your mirrors every time you enter your vehicle. Even if you may have checked them an hour ago — a bump from a shopping cart or a person moving against them or even the car’s movement itself could act to move the mirrors. Even a slight degree of turn could mean the difference between seeing, and not seeing.

First, there’s the inside mirror, often referred to as the rear-view mirror. Adjust this mirror so you can view the entire rear window from the driver’s seat. You should have to move only your eyes, not your head, to use this mirror while driving.

Next, adjust the side mirrors, both on the driver’s side and the passenger’s side. To adjust the driver’s side-view mirror, place your head against the left side window and set the mirror so you can just barely see the side of the car in the mirror’s right side. To adjust the passenger’s side-view mirror, position your head so that it is just above the center console. Set the mirror so you can just barely see the side of the car in the left side of the mirror.

Adjusting the mirrors will allow you clear views on all sides of the car, especially important when you are traveling on a multi-lane road. If you are about to pass a vehicle, having these mirrors adjusted to afford you the best view possible will enable you to pass without difficulty — and avoid a serious accident. Properly adjusted mirrors will also help you to detect when you are being passed, as well as the presence of cars that are close to you.

Even with all the mirrors adjusted in your car, blind spots will still remain. Before you move your car, or attempt to pass another vehicle, remember to double check all sides to make sure your path is clear. Contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney should an accident occur and you suspect a wrongly adjusted mirror is at fault.