Kimosabe wrote: What is it that i'm supposed to be looking out for that I haven't already seen? I'm not saying that checking mirrors is irrelevant, i'm questioning the rate at which I check mine and i'd like to know what you do.
Right now this means that i'm still training myself to check my mirrors (all three of them guys!
) because i've been told that the examiner will want to
see me doing it this much and not because I have found any real-world justification for it and that seems pretty barmy to me.
Mirrors should be checked before any manoeuvre, that is before any change of speed or direction but also frequent checks depending upon the traffic situation. We need to have a 'safety bubble' around us by knowing what is to our front and rear and sides. It is not just seeing the vehicle behind its also seeing what they are doing and by checking your mirrors every few seconds you will see if the vehicle behind is leaving a 2 second gap and whether it is falling back or perhaps closing on you and getting ready to overtake you. Mirrors are essential for planning your drive ahead for example If the vehicle behind isn't leaving a 2 second gap you may want to give more space to the vehicle in front to allow extra braking time.
When changing direction, mirrors should be used in pairs, at other times a glance in the interior mirror may be enough, or when stopped at traffic lights, all 3 mirrors should be checked particularly door mirrors for cyclists and motorcycles that come up alongside and filter when you are stopped.
You are probably checking your mirrors more than you think anyway as the interior and drivers door mirror are in your peripheral vision anyway and movement can be detected without actually looking into them. An examiner should know whether you are checking your mirrors, however it is the nearside door mirror that is the mirror check most often missed.
In order to check the nearside door mirror properly in most cars you need to move your head not just your eyes and having had various tests I have got into the habit of moving my head to check all 3 mirrors which also makes it easy for the examiner!
I have also found that by checking your mirrors frequently you are staying alert and I find it helps me concentrate on driving and makes driving more enjoyable. Too many people drive along on autopilot staring straight ahead and are surprised when a motorcycle appears from 'nowhere' and overtakes them!