How important are routine checks of mirrors while driving?

Routine checks of mirrors while driving are essential for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring safety on the road. Regularly checking mirrors allows drivers to monitor their surroundings, including the positions of other vehicles, pedestrians, and potential hazards. This practice helps in making informed decisions, such as changing lanes or merging, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by blind spots.

Limiting mirror checks could lead to missing important visual cues, increasing the likelihood of collisions or other dangerous situations. On the other hand, while checks are vital, they should be balanced to minimize distractions; thus, they should not completely dominate the driver's attention or disrupt the flow of driving. This approach ensures that the driver remains fully engaged with the driving task while being aware of the environment around them.