Set mirrors before you move
Sit in your normal driving position and adjust the interior and side mirrors to show useful areas behind and beside the car. Aim to minimise unnecessary overlap while maintaining a clear understanding of the car's position. Mirror settings depend on the vehicle and training guidance. They cannot eliminate every blind spot, especially around pillars or close to the vehicle.
Match the observation to the action
Before slowing, changing direction or repositioning, check the mirrors that show traffic likely to be affected. Before moving off from the roadside, merging or changing lanes, also check the relevant blind spot by looking briefly over your shoulder when safe and appropriate. Make the check early enough to respond, then continue looking where the car is going.
Avoid two common errors
One is checking a mirror without understanding its contents. The other is staring into a mirror for so long that you stop watching the road ahead. Good observation is a brief, purposeful cycle: scan, interpret, decide and return attention forward. If a vehicle is in an uncertain location beside you, hold your position until you have confirmed that the intended movement is safe.
Be careful with technology
Blind-spot warning lamps, reversing cameras and sensors can help, but they may miss motorcycles, narrow objects or traffic in unusual positions. Dirty sensors or poor weather can reduce performance. Treat these systems as extra information, not permission to skip your own checks. Read the vehicle manual to understand their limitations.
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