There’s an old saying that many Ferrari owners use that goes some thing like:
“What’s behind you, she no matter!”
While the adage may play into the forward velocity capability of powerful sports cars, it does not speak to driver blind spots or the idiots coming up behind you in traffic.
Have you ever stopped to consider that the most valuable defensive driving capability you have at your disposal might very well be your mirrors? I hadn't either, but a little traffic violation put the wheels in motion for me to think about it, and it changed my driving forever.
Until a couple of years ago, I classified myself as one of the worst speeders on the road. I was not a weaver or a lane cutter, just a speeder. After getting two back-to-back tickets from California’s finest, I went to driving school as a way to lick my wounds.
Unlike other driving schools, the instructor of this course was a stand-up comedian. I mean I literally rolled on the floor laughing. What I took away from the class (besides sore ribs), was this:
“Watch for COPS!”
Watch for COPS! What a simple thing. Right? Yeah, well, if it’s so easy why did you get your last traffic ticket?
It’s not easy.
We were all taught to look in our mirrors frequently. Unfortunately, most of us get lazy and don’t practice this life saving skill.
Watch for COPS! The statement is not as much about avoiding tickets as it is about being mindful of what’s going on around you on the road. How? Simple, really, look ahead, look behind, and look to your sides.
Most drivers rely on their mirrors most when they are changing lanes to avoid getting in another driver's way. If this is how you use your mirrors, then I’m afraid you’re missing the point. In fact, you’re probably well on your way to becoming yet another road casualty, and you’re a hazard to me!
Proper mirrors are the defensive driver’s best weapon against idiots and COPS (no offense to our officers of civil peace). Proper use of rear view mirrors is the skill of the defensive driver.
Proper mirror adjustment comes from a defensive driver’s knowledge. Tomorrow, that's exactly what I'm going to jabber on about. So, stay tuned and let’s explore mirrors and how to properly adjustment them in a little more detail.
