How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

The correct approach is to check your mirrors regularly, especially before changing lanes. This practice is essential for maintaining awareness of your surroundings while driving. Frequent mirror checks allow you to observe other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles that may not be directly in front of you, thus enhancing your situational awareness.

By routinely scanning your mirrors, you can better assess the traffic situation behind and to the sides of your vehicle, which is crucial for making safe maneuvers like lane changes or turns. It also helps in recognizing approaching hazards, giving you more time to react appropriately to any potential dangers. This habit should be integrated into the overall driving routine rather than being restricted to specific moments during the trip.

In contrast, only checking mirrors at the start of the trip, only when other cars are present, or only before parking does not promote the same level of vigilance and could lead to dangerous situations on the road. Regular checks throughout the journey are essential for safe driving.