Is It Correct to Frequently Check the Rearview Mirror?
2 Answers
It is necessary to frequently check the rearview mirror while driving. Not observing the situation behind the car regularly and only looking at the rearview mirror when reversing is a wrong practice. It is a good habit to always observe through the interior rearview mirror, as it helps to understand various situations behind the car, such as the type of the following vehicle, its distance, which lane it is in, and whether it is accelerating to overtake, etc. When sudden situations occur ahead, you can make reasonable predictions about the direction to avoid or control the braking intensity based on the observed conditions behind the car. When intending to speed up and overtake the vehicle ahead, you can appropriately time your move to avoid dangerous situations where you start changing lanes only to realize that another vehicle is overtaking from behind. In particular, observing through the interior rearview mirror can help you to some extent understand when vehicles behind enter the blind spots of the side mirrors.
As an experienced driver, I firmly believe that regularly checking the rearview mirror is an essential habit, especially on highways or suburban roads. During long-distance drives, I naturally glance at the rearview mirror every 5 to 10 seconds to stay aware of the traffic behind me and avoid rear-end collisions when changing lanes. However, be careful not to focus too much on the mirror; if you look too frequently, like the time I almost hit a suddenly stopped car because I got distracted and missed the traffic light ahead. The correct approach is to use both the interior and side mirrors together, with quick glances lasting only a few seconds. While the blind-spot monitoring system is convenient for beginners, it cannot fully replace visual observation. After developing this habit, my accident rate has significantly decreased, especially in poor visibility conditions like rain or fog, where checking the mirror in advance can reduce most risks. Remember, safe driving relies on overall vigilance, not just one or two actions.
