checking mirrors
Glancing at reflections
Checking mirrors is the act of glancing at rearview and side mirrors while driving, a fundamental habit of safe vehicle operation.
Drivers check mirrors before changing lanes, merging, braking, or backing up.
The phrase appears in driving instruction and traffic safety contexts: Always check your mirrors before making a turn.
Figuratively, it can suggest vigilance about what's behind you or awareness of your surroundings.
- rearviewShowing what's behind
- sideviewLateral visual angle
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
- over the shoulderCarried diagonally across torso
- glanceBrief, casual look
adjust · reflection · driving · driver's ed · lane change · backing up · signal · merge · parking · reversing · safety · habit · quick look · look twice · dashboard · windshield · eyes · peripheral
- driving safetyblind spot, braking, brake, signaling, merging
- precautionscaution, double-checking, verifying, looking both ways, locking doors
- vehicle maneuverssteering, braking, accelerating, parking, reversing
checking mirrorsdistracted driving
Vehicle control while mentally elsewhere
not paying attention · zoning out · texting while driving · negligent driving · daydreaming
check, checks, checked, checker, checkers, checkable, recheck, rechecking, rechecked