How often should you check your mirrors and surroundings while driving?

• A. Only when traffic is heavy.
• B. Every ten minutes.
• C. Continuously; perform a general scan every few seconds to anticipate hazards.
• D. Once per trip.

Answer: (C)

Constant awareness of your surroundings through regular mirror checks is essential for safe driving. The best practice is to continuously monitor and perform a general scan every few seconds so you can anticipate hazards before they become urgent. Hazards can appear suddenly—from a vehicle changing lanes, a pedestrian stepping onto the roadway, to a cyclist riding near your blind spot—so waiting for a later moment to glance around leaves you with less time to react.

In practice, keep your eyes moving and glance at your mirrors frequently rather than fixating on one spot. Do brief shoulder checks when it’s safe, especially before changing lanes, turning, or adjusting speed. This habit helps you maintain safe following distances, choose safer gaps, and respond smoothly to changes in traffic flow.