How to Judge when to Change Lanes using the Mirrors - Blind Spots also

Summary

This video provides essential tips for new drivers to improve their lane-changing skills. It emphasizes the importance of correctly adjusting mirrors for better visibility and explains how to judge the distance and speed of approaching vehicles. The guide also highlights key factors such as maintaining safe gaps, using both interior and wing mirrors, and keeping with the flow of traffic. It advises against slowing down when checking mirrors, which can create more opportunities for others to overtake. Finally, the video covers blind spots, offering techniques for spotting smaller vehicles and managing side and rear views effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Set up your interior mirror to see the entire rear window, with the center of the window aligned in the center of the mirror for balanced visibility.
• 😀 Side mirrors should be adjusted straight back to avoid looking too high or too low, ensuring a clear view of vehicles approaching from behind.
• 😀 A little bit of your car should be visible in your side mirrors, helping you judge the relative position of other vehicles and minimize blind spots.
• 😀 Use the interior mirror primarily for judging if it's safe to change lanes, as it provides a better sense of distance compared to side mirrors.
• 😀 Side mirrors can be divided into top and bottom halves to assess the proximity of vehicles, with the top half indicating a safer distance.
• 😀 If a vehicle is approaching you in the side mirror and gets into the bottom half, it’s too close to change lanes safely.
• 😀 Always check both mirrors together (interior and side mirrors) for the best judgment of safe lane changes.
• 😀 When driving a van or vehicle without an interior mirror, rely on side mirrors, dividing them into halves to gauge the distance and safety for lane changes.
• 😀 It's essential to maintain a safe gap in front of you before changing lanes—avoid moving into a lane directly behind another car.
• 😀 If vehicles behind you are approaching too quickly, it's safer to let them pass before making a lane change, even if you have enough space.
• 😀 Always perform a quick sideways glance to check for blind spots, especially when there are cars in neighboring lanes or when you can’t see vehicles two lanes away.

Q & A

Why is it important for new drivers to adjust their mirrors properly?

Properly adjusted mirrors allow new drivers to assess their surroundings more accurately, helping them judge distances, detect other vehicles, and make safer lane changes. It reduces blind spots and enhances overall visibility on the road.

How should the interior rearview mirror be set up for maximum visibility?

The interior mirror should be set to reflect the entire rear window. If the mirror is too small, the middle of the rear window should be centered in the mirror to balance the view towards both sides.

What is the correct position for wing mirrors (side mirrors)?

Wing mirrors should be positioned to show a straight view behind the vehicle, not up or down. A little bit of the car should be visible in the mirror, but not too much. This helps minimize blind spots while judging distances.

What does the ‘half ground, half sky’ rule for wing mirrors mean?

The ‘half ground, half sky’ rule is a guideline that suggests positioning the wing mirror so that it reflects about half of the ground and half of the sky. However, this is not always possible in areas with buildings or trees obstructing the view.

Why should a new driver not see too much of their own car in the wing mirror?

If a new driver sees too much of their car in the wing mirror, they risk having a large blind spot. Ideally, only a little bit of the car should be visible, allowing the driver to better judge the positions of other vehicles on the road.

What should a driver do if they want to move in front of a car in their interior mirror?

If the car behind is doing about the same speed, and the driver can see the entire front of the car in their interior mirror, they have enough space to move in front of it. However, if the car is approaching rapidly, it’s safer to let it pass.

How do you judge if you have enough space in your wing mirror when driving a van?

In a van, since the interior mirror may not be available, drivers should divide the wing mirror into two halves. If the car behind is in the top half of the mirror, they have enough space to change lanes. If it's in the bottom half, the vehicle is too close.

What should a driver do if they are stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle when trying to change lanes?

If a driver is stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle, they should wait until it's safe to change lanes. It’s important not to rush, as it could lead to dangerous lane changes or cutting off other drivers.

What is the risk of slowing down while checking mirrors for a lane change?

When a driver slows down while checking mirrors, other vehicles behind them may overtake. This can create additional traffic and reduce the opportunity to safely change lanes.

What is the purpose of a quick sideways glance before changing lanes?

A quick sideways glance helps to spot vehicles that may be in your blind spot, particularly those two lanes away. It provides additional assurance that there are no vehicles in the way before making a lane change.