Using mirrors

Using your driving mirrors regularly and sensibly is vital to good driving.

Learning to judge the speed and distance of vehicles behind you takes time.

Try the following exercise when your vehicle is stationary.

• Compare the different impressions you get when you view vehicles through the interior mirror and the exterior mirror. The vehicles may seem smaller in the exterior mirror. Then look over your shoulder to get the real view.
• Also while you’re stationary, look for blind spots. These are the areas that your mirrors don’t show you, which are explained later in this section.

Which mirror to use

Your use of the mirrors should be linked to the manoeuvre you intend to make and the type of vehicle you’re driving.

Normally you should use the interior mirror first, followed by the exterior ones if necessary.

Your use of the exterior mirrors will depend on the manoeuvre and the situation. For example, before turning left in slow-moving traffic, your nearside exterior mirror will help you to look for cyclists filtering on your left.

When to use your mirrors

You should always

• use your mirrors in good time, that is, well before you
  • approach a hazard
  • slow down, change lane or begin any manoeuvre
• act sensibly on what you see
• begin the MSM routine early (see later in this section).

Always use your mirrors before

• moving off
• signalling
• changing direction or lane, turning left, turning right or overtaking
• slowing down or stopping
• opening your car door.

When you look in your mirrors, ask yourself

• How close is the traffic behind you?
• How fast is it moving?
• What’s it doing?
• Is the manoeuvre safe?
• How will my signal affect following drivers?

It’s also important to use the mirrors early enough to allow other road users time to react to any signal you need to give. Use your mirrors to check their reaction.