Properly adjusting your side view mirrors can significantly enhance your driving safety. When you need to change lanes or merge into traffic, you rely heavily on your mirrors. If you have blind spots, these routine maneuvers can become extremely dangerous. Here’s how to adjust your mirrors to eliminate blind spots, so you won’t have to turn your head to see if you’re safe to merge.
Understanding Them
A blind spot is an area where a vehicle cannot be seen from your rear view or side view mirrors, or even in your peripheral vision. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a system for setting your mirrors to eliminate blind spots completely. Many drivers swear by this method. By using this setting, you will no longer have to turn your head to check traffic, allowing you to keep the traffic in front of your vehicle in your peripheral vision. Additionally, headlight glare from trailing cars in your side mirrors is almost completely eliminated. This method requires only a quick glance at your rear view and side view mirrors to check the traffic around you.
Adjusting Your Side Mirrors
- Driver’s Side Mirror:
- Lean to the left and place your head against the window.
- Adjust the mirror until you can barely see the side of your vehicle.
- Passenger’s Side Mirror:
- Move your head as close to the center of the vehicle as possible.
- Adjust the mirror until you can barely see the passenger side of your vehicle.
- Rear View Mirror:
- Adjust to see as much of the rear window as possible.
Checking for Blind Spots
To check if you’ve eliminated your blind spots, observe as a car passes you in traffic. You should be able to see the car in your side view mirror before it leaves your rear view mirror. If this works, congratulations—you have eliminated your blind spots!
Important Reminders
Remember, other drivers may not be aware of this method. Try to stay out of their blind spots as much as possible. By adjusting your mirrors correctly, you can enhance your safety and make driving a more secure experience for everyone on the road.