How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

The most effective practice for maintaining awareness of your surroundings while driving is to check your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. This frequency allows drivers to stay alert to any obstacles, other vehicles, or changes in traffic conditions. By regularly checking mirrors, drivers can better gauge their proximity to other vehicles and avoid potential hazards. It also enables timely responses to any changes that may require adjustments in speed or direction.

This interval strikes a balance between staying informed about surrounding traffic and maintaining focus on the road ahead. More frequent checks, such as every 3 to 5 seconds, could lead to distractions that might take attention away from the forward-driving path, while checking every 10 to 12 seconds could leave a driver unaware of critical changes in their environment for too long. Limiting mirror checks to only when changing lanes is insufficient for maintaining overall situational awareness, which is essential for safe driving.