How frequently should you check your mirrors while driving?

Monitoring your mirrors every 7 to 8 seconds is essential for safe driving. This frequency allows you to stay aware of your surroundings, including the positions of other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards. By checking your mirrors regularly, you can make informed decisions about lane changes, turns, and overall driving behavior.

Keeping this interval helps to create a habit of ongoing situational awareness. If you check too infrequently, such as every 10-12 seconds or longer, you might miss important changes in your environment that could affect your driving, like another vehicle entering your blind spot or a pedestrian approaching the road. On the other hand, checking every 5-6 seconds could lead to distractions, as it may divide your attention from the road ahead.

Overall, the 7 to 8-second interval strikes a balance between being aware of your surroundings and maintaining focus on the path in front of you.