How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

The best practice for checking mirrors while driving is to do so frequently, at least every 5 to 10 seconds. This approach enhances overall awareness of your surroundings, allowing you to spot potential hazards and respond accordingly. By consistently checking your mirrors, you maintain a better understanding of the traffic situation around you, including the positions of vehicles that may not be directly visible in your peripheral view. This habit is especially crucial in busy driving environments or if you're planning to change lanes, as it helps ensure that you can make safe, informed decisions.

While checking mirrors every 30 seconds, only when changing lanes, or every 15 seconds if traffic is light are all options that imply less frequent monitoring, they do not provide the same level of vigilance that frequent checks do. In dynamic driving conditions, the ability to react to unexpected changes is significantly improved by maintaining a continuous awareness of your environment.