Video via Cars.com Youtube.
Experts say that our eyes are the most important safety feature we have when driving. In fact, approximately 90% of the information we use when driving is visual.
If a driver can’t see what’s adjacent or behind to his or her vehicle it greatly ups the chances of getting into a collision. That’s why it is critical for fleet drivers to know how to properly set their vehicle mirrors.
While it may seem rudimentary, drivers can easily fall into the pattern of allowing the side mirrors to show too much of their own vehicles instead of the cars behind them. So take the time remind your fleet drivers how to properly position their side mirrors.
Experts say the correct way to set side mirrors is as follows:
- Make sure the driver’s seat is adjusted exactly where you want it to be.
- Now lean to your left, look in your left mirror, and adjust it so that just a very slight amount of your own vehicle is visible in the edge of the mirror.
- Now lean to right and use the same method to adjust the right side mirror.
This method will ensure the driver gets the full field off view out of both mirrors. Every car behind you—three lanes wide—should be visible in at least one mirror.
Even when mirrors are properly set, there will still be blind spots, meaning anything that isn't visible in the rear view or two side mirrors.
Nearly 840,000 blind spot collisions occur in the U.S. annually resulting in approximately 300 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
So now is the time to also remind your drivers to avoid a blind-spot collision with a simple quick over-the-shoulder check before changing lanes.