How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

Checking your mirrors continuously, especially before changing lanes, is essential for safe driving. This practice allows you to maintain awareness of your surroundings, including the positions and movements of other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Regularly checking your mirrors helps you identify potential hazards early, enabling you to react appropriately and make safe decisions while driving. It's important to develop the habit of checking mirrors frequently—without being excessive—so that you remain cautious and informed about what's happening around your vehicle. This vigilance significantly reduces the risk of collisions and promotes a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.

The other choices do not promote safe driving practices. For example, checking mirrors only every few minutes or just at stoplights misses critical moments where situational awareness is needed, particularly when changing lanes or merging. Additionally, checking mirrors only at the start of a journey fails to account for the dynamic nature of traffic conditions that can change rapidly.