Tips on Using Your Mirrors from our Long Beach Collision Center
Are you using your rear view mirror only to check your hair, teeth or makeup? Then you'll likely wind up in our Auto Body Shop pretty soon! If you know how to use your car's mirrors the right way you will have a much better chance to avoid an accident.
More and more drivers are having accidents because they lack basic driving knowledge, and not knowing how to shoulder check and use their mirrors is one reason why. Too many people don’t use these simple tools and they’re driving blind. By using the equipment on your car and a bit of smarts, you can become a more effective and responsible driver.
Position your mirrors
One of the main factors in an accident is related to drivers' difficulty in seeing other drivers around them. These problems begin when drivers position their side mirrors incorrectly, offering a limited view of what’s happening both behind them and to their sides. Too many drivers develop bad habits that lead to accidents, so setting up your car's mirrors is key. Also, when you borrow a car or rent a car, always take a moment to set up the mirrors. Make sure you sit up straight with your head situated to simulate the way it will be while driving.
1. Driver’s side mirror: Adjust the mirror so that you can just barely see the side of your car. This way it will be perfectly positioned and you’ll be able to see more of the road.
2. Rearview mirror: Adjust the mirror so you can see out the entire rear window. There are more rear-end accidents than frontal collisions, so whatever is going on behind your vehicle is, of course, very important.
3. Passenger side mirror: Position the mirror so you can see only the very edge of your car and lots of the road on your right hand side.
Watching and checking for blind spots
Once you have your mirrors set up, make sure you use them while driving around Long Beach. As you drive, constantly check your mirrors every five seconds of so. With mirrors properly adjusted the approaching vehicle disappears from the side mirror before it enters your peripheral vision. The moment the cars around you lave your mirror view is called your blind spots. this is where shoulder checking comes in for lane changes.
Using properly set up mirror and shoulder checks your daily commute throughout Long Beach will become much safer. Remember that you can control what you’re doing while on the road, but you should always use your mirror and good sense to be aware of the other drivers out there.
At Craftsman Collision USA in Long Beach, CA we always stress safety by being proactive about it and offering helpful (potentially life-saving) tips like these!Hopefully you won't need us, but if you do, call us at 562-426-2639
