If your vehicle has power-folding or memory mirrors, you may have additional options for returning to a preferred setting.
Whatever approach you use, do not reverse based on a single mirror alone. Check your surroundings, use your windows and mirrors, and look directly when appropriate. Be particularly cautious around pedestrians, children, cyclists, and low objects that may be difficult to see.
The aim is to improve visibility without creating new risks.
The Most Important Rule: Mirrors Do Not Replace Shoulder Checks
Even perfectly positioned mirrors cannot guarantee that you will see every hazard.
A vehicle may be hidden by the shape of your car. A motorcycle may be difficult to notice. A cyclist could approach from an unexpected direction. A nearby vehicle may be obscured by another object or fall outside the mirror’s field of view.
That is why safe driving requires more than a clever adjustment.
Before changing lanes, check your interior mirror, check the appropriate side mirror, and make a brief shoulder check when it is safe to do so. Signal your intention, allow sufficient space, and make sure the maneuver can be completed safely.
