Guest blogger Dan Nielson is an avid full-time blogger. Looking for efficient ways to tow your stuff? Make sure that if you’re towing , you find the correct tow mirrors for the job.
Have you ever stopped to consider which of the parts on your truck are the most important for safety? If you haven’t, I’m here to tell you: it’s your mirrors. Ensuring that your mirrors are properly maintained, cleaned and adjusted can help you avoid accidents and injuries while traveling over the open road. When it comes to your mirrors, here are several tips to follow:
1. Check Before You Drive
No matter how many times you’ve checked your mirrors before heading out, one more time isn’t going to hurt. Before you start the engine, make sure that your mirrors are adjusted properly. Your right mirror should be pulled in towards the truck just until you can see the vehicle in its reflection. Your left mirror should allow you to see the road. The rear-view mirror should be adjusted so that you can see the ground alongside the trailer just at the bottom of the mirror.
2. Blind Spots
Once you’ve adjusted your mirrors, make note of any blind spots. No matter how well you position your mirrors; there will always be spots that you simply can’t see. When you make note of where these blind spots are, you’ll be more careful when merging on and off the highway, making turns and changing lanes. Remember that if you’re ever in doubt as to whether or not a vehicle is in your blind spot, err on the side of caution.
3. Look for Lights
It can be difficult at times to judge whether or not you have enough room to merge or change lanes. When you’re unsure, look for lights in your rear-view mirror. If you can see the headlights of the vehicle behind you, you have enough room to merge. If you can’t see the lights clearly, maintain your present lane and wait until you can see them. Keep in mind that being able to see the windshield of the vehicle behind you is not enough; you must be able to see the headlights.
4. Always Check
Your mirrors are there for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Never make a move without first checking your mirrors. When you check frequently enough, looking into your mirrors will become second nature. No matter how quickly you need to get to your destination, you may not get there at all if you cause an accident. Take the extra few seconds and check all of your mirrors before you try to move your rig across the highway.
5. Specialty Mirrors
There are a variety of specialty mirrors available for your truck. From convex mirrors to towing mirrors, you may find that some of these mirrors are helpful to your driving style. You can find these mirrors at trucking supply and parts stores across the nation. Take a look at a few of them and see which you would find most useful.
Don’t make light of your mirrors’ importance. These simple tools can prevent accidents, saving your life and the lives of others on the road. Follow the tips above to ensure that you’re using your mirrors to their full capability.
