Hawkwell driving schools : DSA Approved Driving Instructor:   using the mirrors whilst driving

Using the mirrors while driving:

You need to use your internal mirror before you speed up or slow down, before indicating, and before pulling in or out. Before you move, or turn, to the left or right you also need to use your side door mirror.

It is good practice to check about every 5 seconds, and every time you change gear. Most importantly use your mirrors every time you see a hazard ahead, because that's when you are likely to have to take action, and you need to know what's around you before you do.

Only look briefly though, too long and you may swerve all over the road. You are looking for danger, not detail. You don't want to know what the number-plate of the car behind is, but you do want to know whether he is moving into an overtaking postion or not (photo below):

It is necessary to use both the interior and door mirrors as part of your observation sequence, because you have a different view in each. In the interior mirror you may see someone closing up fast from behind, whereas in the right door mirror they aren't visible. Yet in the right door mirror you may see a vehicle overtaking, but they are too far to your right to see in the interior mirror.

Try not to use the two mirrors consecutively though as it takes your eyes off the road for too long. Separating their use gives you time to look back at the road ahead and also serves as a means of observing people around you after they have had time to react to your indicator.

Do make sure though that you are not looking in the mirror when you should be looking at something more important in front of you. Timing is everything!

The correct sequence is:    Mirror (internal) ;   Signal;   Mirror (side);   Manoeuvre

On your driving test your examiner, once he has given any instruction, has been trained to to look at you until you look in the mirror. Missing a mirror check is usually a minor fault. But if it causes a problem with another vehicle because you haven't seen it, then it is a failure.

There are 3 categories of mirror faults: before indicating, before changing speed, before changing position. If you get more than 3 minors within any category, it will probably be marked as a serious fault and be a failure.

Example:
You are approaching a roundabout and have been asked to turn 3rd exit right. The first thing you should do is check your interior mirror twice, for any closing traffic from behind, and so that the examiner sees you do it. Then check your right door mirror for anyone that may be about to overtake.

Signal right and re-check your door mirror. Move gently into the correct lane, checking the door mirror again as you move across. Check the interior mirror again before slowing down. Check the interior mirror again as you change gear.

You enter the roundabout, and position in the right hand lane. As you go around to the 3rd exit, check your interior mirror to see what's coming around behind you. Re-check your road position to make sure that you are not going to drive into the roundabout kerb. Check the left door mirror to see if there's anything next to you. Interior mirror again. Look to the 3rd exit.Signal, left door mirror. Begin to straighten towards the exit. Left door mirror. Left door mirror again, as the gap on the left narrows down into the exit.

This does seem a lot of mirror checks, but each one only takes a fraction of a second. If you practice checking like this will be second nature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question:
Why do I need to look in my mirror before I brake?

Answer:
Because what's behind may affect the way you brake. If someone is very
close behind it would be better to brake early and gently, so that they don't
drive into you.

 

Question:
Why do I need to look before a hazard?

Answer: 
You need to know what's happening around you because it may affect how you deal with the hazard. For example: If you had a bus very close behind, you wouldn't brake sharply: or, if you were being overtaken by a fast car you wouldn't swerve to the right.

 

Question:
Why do I need to look before I indicate?

Answer:
Because in some circumstances you may want to indicate at a certain time to avoid confusion. For example: You want to change lanes on a dual-carriageway and someone is coming up fast behind. If you indicate without checking your mirrors, and they are close, they may hesitate, and you won't know whether it is safe to move over or not. Whereas if you use your mirrors, and then decide to indicate once they've gone past, no problem!

 

 

mirrors adjusting
mirrors pulling away
mirrors while driving