Bangkok: Did you know? Simply adjusting your mirrors correctly can greatly improve driving safety. When driving on the road, the most important thing that cannot be overlooked is clear and comprehensive visibility. Because we cannot constantly turn our heads to look in all directions, rearview and side mirrors act as a second and third pair of eyes for the driver, helping us see what's happening around us, vehicles approaching from the side, or vehicles following behind.
According to Thai News Agency, the "Sure Before Sharing" center interviewed Mr. Komsan Saphaneknan, a safe driving expert from Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., about techniques and precautions for adjusting car mirrors at various points for maximum safety. Let's see what they are.
A starting point that many overlook: "sitting posture" is more important than you think. Before we reach for any mirror adjustments, the first thing experts emphasize is adjusting our posture to be correct and ergonomically appropriate. Because everyone's height, limb length, and body proportions are different, a change in sitting posture will also change your perspective in the mirror. Therefore, it's always best to find the comfortable sitting position first, which can be observed from leg distance and arms and shoulders positioning.
If your arms and legs feel comfortable and move freely without restriction, then your sitting posture is appropriate and you are ready to begin adjusting the mirror in the next step. Three key techniques for adjusting the mirrors for a panoramic view are also outlined to ensure that the all-around visibility works in a coordinated manner, similar to a panorama view.
To ensure an optimal view, the source suggests adjusting side mirrors (left and right) to divide the mirror into 4 sections, setting 1 section to show your own vehicle and the remaining 3 sections to show the road beside the car. For the rearview mirror (center), it's essential to divide the mirror into 3 sections and ensure the overall road conditions are visible in the main area. Additionally, avoid placing objects like tissue boxes or stuffed animals on the rear windshield, as they can obstruct the view.
Some cars have auxiliary side mirrors (small, round convex mirrors attached over the side mirrors) installed. Their purpose is to provide a clearer view of nearby vehicles or the curb when parallel parking. If it's an adjustable type, adjust it to provide a clear view of the lower sides of the vehicle's body, especially the blind spots underneath.
Before every trip, remember to take a moment to check your seating position and the view from all the mirrors. "When your seating is right, the mirrors will reflect that." And always remember that the golden rule of safe driving is: before deciding to brake suddenly or change lanes, always glance at the rearview and side mirrors to assess the situation around you, reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure that every journey reaches its destination safely.