Mirror! Mirror! Can it keep you safe in your car? Yes, rearview mirrors play an important role in the proper handling of your motor vehicle. If there is no mirror of any kind on that car, is it completely safe to drive from Hongshan or Shishan to the city center? "The answer is no," advises Basil Cotterel, a driver instructor with more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry.

According to him, a driver, regardless of his skills and abilities, would not be able to drive from Manor Park to the city center on a busy Friday afternoon without any serious consequences if his car did not have a mirror.

A mirror is a device or surface of reflective material usually made of glass. "The driving mirror is often regarded as the driver's third eye," Cotterel said. Therefore, the rearview mirror is one of the keys to defensive driving. The rear-view mirror on the motor vehicle enables the driver to keep abreast of what is happening behind him. It is this device that provides the driver with the information he needs because he decides how to maneuver in heavy traffic.

Remind the driver to maintain a good posture while driving. Adjust the seat so that you can easily reach the footrest. Feel comfortable behind the steering wheel.

You don’t have to look at any rearview mirrors, reach the gear lever or turn the signal lights. Your position, when seated correctly, should allow you to see clearly and give you a glance behind. It is important that the driver should adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors to reduce blind spots. These areas are areas where you cannot see behind the car through the rearview mirror.

Then adjust the outside mirror so that you can see the tip of the front door. This allows you to see parts of the lanes to the right and behind the car. The mirror is meant to be used in time, before the driver approaches danger, slows down, changes lanes, or starts any type of maneuver.

The rearview mirror of the vehicle must be checked before shifting gears. Without this action, driving is definitely unsafe. To an inexperienced driver, all of these may seem basic. However, the reality is that there are often careless drivers who fail to check before turning, which can lead to serious and painful economic consequences. It may also take a little time for new drivers to develop hand-eye coordination, which is essential for safe driving. "Mirrors are an important aid to ensure road safety," said Verlette Campbell, a former member of the Grants Pen Bike Patrol. According to Campbell, drivers should be able to read the road without twisting and turning their neck or body.

In addition, mirrors are necessary because they can clearly see what is happening around the vehicle. They also help motorists avoid causing trouble to other road users and predict when it is safe to act. Campbell recommends that all drivers check their rearview mirrors before: leaving, changing direction, turning left or right, overtaking, changing lanes, slowing down, stopping, or opening doors.

1. The rearview mirror helps the driver to judge the speed and distance of the vehicle behind.

2. Most of the interior rearview mirrors are flat glass. They are close to the driver's eyes and provide a real picture of the road behind.

3. Most exterior rearview mirrors are convex, that is, slightly curved and provide a wider field of view.

4. The object in the convex mirror looks smaller and closer than the object in the mirror.

5. Mirrors ensure the safety of pedestrians approaching the curb.

6. The rearview mirror ensures safety before passing the vehicle and before returning to the correct lane.