Mirrors are one of the most important parts of your vehicle because they allow you to know about objects on either side of or behind your unit. Not knowing where objects are can—and often does—result in disaster. During your pre-trip inspection, make sure your mirrors are clean, not broken or cracked and properly mounted. When you get into your vehicle, adjust your mirrors so you see very little, if any, of the tractor and trailer.
When you’re driving, you should check your mirrors every five to nine seconds to observe objects entering and exiting the space around your vehicle. Knowing what is in the sphere around your truck influences how you drive and can help prevent an accident. Checking mirrors also provides information for the brain to process, helping you stay alert and fight off fatigue, reducing the risk of blank stares and highway hypnosis.
Mirrors are especially critical while backing. If you must back up, Get Out And Look (G.O.A.L.) before doing so. That is the only way you will know for sure what is around your vehicle. As you back, be sure to observe all mirrors, not just your driver’s side mirror
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