What is a safe driving practice?

Frequent checking of rear view and side mirrors is a crucial safe driving practice because it enhances a driver's overall awareness of their surroundings. By regularly scanning these mirrors, a driver can monitor the positions of other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians around them. This awareness is essential for making informed decisions, such as when to change lanes or when it might be safe to merge into traffic.

Effective use of mirrors helps in minimizing blind spots, which are areas around a vehicle that cannot be seen through direct line of sight. Being vigilant about what is happening behind and beside the vehicle, rather than solely focusing on what's directly in front, significantly reduces the risk of accidents. This practice also aligns with defensive driving principles, where anticipating the actions of other road users can lead to safer driving outcomes.

In contrast, choices that involve distractions (like keeping the radio volume high) or over-reliance on technology (like rear sensors) do not promote the same level of awareness and control that manual mirror checks provide.