Driving Lesson Notes #4: Tools (pedal, gears, mirror, signals etc…)

Mirrors:

Using mirrors is considered the biggest safety feature we have. It allows us to see what is happening around us so we can safely respond and avoid any accidents.

a. How to adjust the mirrors:

Before adjusting the mirror, make sure you seat is adjusted first and you are sitting in your normal driving position. At this position, you have efficient mobility on the pedals and hold the steering wheel with arms slightly bent. You want to test the mirror view by glancing at it as how you would when you normally drive.

Center mirror:

• Adjust the centre mirror with your left hand whilst in a normal driving seated position. Adjust the mirror without turning your head but keep it facing forward and only move your eyes. Adjust touching only the edge of the mirror and not the mirror otherwise, you’ll leave finger marks on it.
• Position the mirror so it has the whole back window in view.

Side mirrors:

• Use the button to adjust the side mirrors.
• Horizontal adjustment: include a little bit of your car on the mirror for perspective – this let you know where other vehicles are in relation to you. Do not include too much of the car otherwise, it’s be a waste of mirror space. Some suggest having the car area covered an inch (or with 2 fingers) and some suggest having the tip of the door handle at the bottom left corner of the mirror. NB: some prefer not to include having parts of their cars on their mirror to have more coverage on the blind spot.
• Vertical adjustment: The horizon should be in the middle so you can see half the sky and half the road. Some may prefer the horizon to be higher on the mirror so that you can see more of the road.

 

b. Understand how to use the mirrors:

Center mirror: 

• Use the centre mirror to see if there is a safe distance, especially before changing lanes or changing speed.
• You can see if the vehicle is speeding up as they get closer.
• The Centre mirror is a flat mirror which more accurately shows the distance (unlike the side mirror which is convex and distorts the distance making things seems further away). So you want to check the center mirror first to have a good judge of distance.

Side mirror:

• Before doing a manoeuver such as overtaking, changing lanes or turning, it is important to assess both the distance and the speed of acceleration before considering it safe do a manoeuver.
• Use the side mirror to determine the rough distance they are to you. You can determine whether it is safe to carry out a manoeuver by the size and whether you see the whole vehicle’s body or not. You can also divide the side mirror into sections which determine how far the vehicle is behind you and whether it is safe to carry out a manoeuver.  Below I will give a few examples of how people may divide their mirrors.
• Use the side mirror to see whether they are at a constant speed (stay in a similar spot on the mirror) or speeding up (appear closer). If they seem to be at constant speed and at a far distance then it is considered safe to do a manoeuver.
• The side mirror has more of a blind spot seeing vehicles two lanes across. And even if you can see them in the mirror it is not so clear. That is why it’s important to do a quick glance behind your shoulders. Don’t look too long or over turn otherwise, it will affect your steering.
• Blind spot on the left side mirror (passenger side) has a greater blind spot area.
• The side mirrors should not be used to determine the distance of things because it is convex and will make things look further away than it actually is. Use the centre mirror (that is flat mirror) to judge the distance.

Divide side mirrors into sections:

Mirrors can also be divided into imaginary sections to decide whether the vehicle behind is far enough to carry out a changing lane manoeuvre. However, before using this technique it is important to know that, you will need to adjust the position of your mirror in such a way that allows you to tell the distance.  Here are a few techniques:

1. A mid-horizontal line: When a vehicle behind appears on the top half of the mirror, it is considered to have enough space to do a manoeuvre. However, when the vehicle behind appears on the bottom half of the mirror, it is considered not enough space to do a manoeuvre.
2. A mid-vertical line: When a vehicle behind appears on the inner half section of the mirror, it is considered to have enough space to do a manoeuvre. However, when a vehicle behind appears on the outer half of the mirror, it is considered as not having enough space to do a manoeuvre.
3. Equally divide mirror into 3 vertical sections: similar to a mid-vertical line except it has 3 sections. When a vehicle behind appears on the inner section of the mirror, it is considered to have enough space to do a manoeuvre. When a vehicle behind appears on the middle section of the mirror, it is considered to be close enough to be cautious. However, when a vehicle behind appears on the outer section of the mirror, it is considered as not having enough space to do a manoeuvre.
4. Four quadrants: When a vehicle behind appears on the inner top quardrant of the mirror, it is considered to have enough space to do a manoeuvre. However, when a vehicle behind appears on the bottom outer quadrant of the mirror, it is considered as not having enough space to do a manoeuvre.

Again, I’d like to note that this method only works if you adjust your mirror in a certain way.

 

c. How and when to look at the mirrors:

How to glance at the mirrors:

You want to primarily focus on what is in front of you on the road and only glance at the mirror to know what is happening. Do not be too fixated when looking at the mirror as it will distract you from what is in front of you.

Final mirror check:

Include a final mirror check before the manoeuvre in the MSM routine. When you feel that the mirror check has been a while since your last check, such as a few seconds when performing the MSM routine, you should do a quick final mirror & blind spot check just before a manoeuvre. i.e. do a final right mirror & blind spot check just before turning (or positioning) right. Mirror Signal (Final mirror & blinds spot check) Manoeuver.

How often to check the mirrors:

Some are encouraged to check the centre mirror every 10 seconds so you are regularly updated with what is happening behind you. This way you will make regular adjustments when needed. However, some don’t check their mirrors as often because they want to focus on what’s on the road. There are no rules on how often to check your mirrors.

d. Situations when to check our mirrors:

It is compulsory in our routine when indicating, and changing our position & speed. Here are situations when we check our mirrors.

• Safety check: Help maintain safety gaps (adequate clearance) between vehicles to prevent crashes
• Pulling away or parking: need to check for blind spots on both sides and all 3 mirrors. Check the right door side mirror once again before pulling away. Mirrors can also be used as reference points when parking.
• Changing speed:
  1. Reducing speed (or stopping): check the centre mirror to see whether how close we are being followed before reducing our speed. If there is a vehicle close to us, we can brake more gently to give them more time to react and to reduce the risk of collision.
  2. Increasing speed: when we want to speed up i.e. to adjust to traffic speed or to create a safer distance, check the (centre & right) mirror before increasing our speed. Check if the vehicle behind us is trying to speed up and overtake us. If so then abort speeding up until it is safe to do so. Speeding at the same time will prevent the driver from overtaking us and will put everyone in danger.
  3. These include adjusting to traffic speed and when stopping at junctions, crossings and traffic lights.
• Before using signal indicators:
• Changing position:
  1. Turning in junctions: When turning left you need to check the centre and left mirror first, before signalling and committing to the manoeuver. Do a quick side mirror check before turning left. When turning right you need to check the centre and right mirror first, before signalling and committing to the manoeuver. Do a quick side mirror check before turning right.
  2. Turning in roundabouts: When turning right in a roundabout you need to check the centre and right mirror first, before signalling and committing to the manoeuver. Do a quick side mirror check before turning. When leaving exiting the roundabout check the centre and left mirror first, before signalling and committing to exit. Do a quick side mirror check before turning.
  3. Traffic light: before moving off check left and right to avoid vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists.
  4. Pulling over: check the centre and the left mirror before pulling over into the road. You can use the indicator to warn others if they are around.
  5. Passing (Steer around): when going around a parked car or a cyclist on our side of the road then check the centre & right mirror before moving right.
  6. Overtaking: When other vehicle is trying to overtake us, we must safely abort our intended manoeuver
  7. Changing lane: check the centre mirror and side mirror for traffic approaching from behind us and only change lanes when it is safe. Do not move into the lane where there is a speeding vehicle.
  8. Merging from slip road or passing slip road: When in a slip road and trying to merge in a dual carriageway or motorway, check the (center & right) mirrors to find a safe gap to safely join the traffic. When passing a slip road, check

 

e. Key point summary:

• You can check the mirror regularly (i.e. check centre mirror every 10 seconds) for situational awareness.
• Also, check mirrors before using the indicator, changing position and changing speed.
• When to check mirrors:
  1. Taking off: check all 3 mirrors
  2. Slowing down when approaching junctions, roundabouts & traffic light: centre mirror and side mirror (where you will position/turn)
  3. Speed  up (to adjust): check the center mirror and right mirror (check for overtaking vehicles)
  4. Turning or positioning left/right: centre mirror and the mirror you want to turn into. i.e. right mirror when planning to turn right.
• Include a final side mirror & blind spot check before the manoeuvre in the MSM routine when needed. Mirror Signal (Final mirror & blinds spot check) Manoeuver.