Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

How to Properly Set Mirrors

If a driver can’t see what’s adjacent or behind to his or her vehicle it greatly ups the chances of getting into a collision.

January 31, 2020
How to Properly Set Mirrors

 

2 min to read


Video via Cars.com Youtube. 

Experts say that our eyes are the most important safety feature we have when driving. In fact, approximately 90% of the information we use when driving is visual.

Ad Loading...

If a driver can’t see what’s adjacent or behind to his or her vehicle it greatly ups the chances of getting into a collision. That’s why it is critical for fleet drivers to know how to properly set their vehicle mirrors.

While it may seem rudimentary, drivers can easily fall into the pattern of allowing the side mirrors to show too much of their own vehicles instead of the cars behind them. So take the time remind your fleet drivers how to properly position their side mirrors.

Experts say the correct way to set side mirrors is as follows:

  • Make sure the driver’s seat is adjusted exactly where you want it to be.

  • Now lean to your left, look in your left mirror, and adjust it so that just a very slight amount of your own vehicle is visible in the edge of the mirror.

  • Now lean to right and use the same method to adjust the right side mirror.

This method will ensure the driver gets the full field off view out of both mirrors. Every car behind you—three lanes wide—should be visible in at least one mirror.

Ad Loading...

Even when mirrors are properly set, there will still be blind spots, meaning anything that isn't visible in the rear view or two side mirrors.

Nearly 840,000 blind spot collisions occur in the U.S. annually resulting in approximately 300 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So now is the time to also remind your drivers to avoid a blind-spot collision with a simple quick over-the-shoulder check before changing lanes.

More Safety

An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
SafetyAugust 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →
Cover of the AgileFleet white paper "Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks" with the AgileFleet logo and a photo of fleet vehicles parked outside a government building.
SponsoredAugust 7, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks

Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness

Read More →
conference attendees watching a speaker
Safetyby StaffAugust 6, 2026

NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis

The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
NETS crash statistics overlaying an accident photo
Safetyby Chris BrownAugust 5, 2026

Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden

NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.

Read More →
red ram recall image
Safetyby Faith HowellAugust 3, 2026

Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue

The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a Utilimarc guide titled How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48% featuring a call-to-action to download the guide.
SponsoredJuly 17, 2026

How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%

Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Smiling commercial truck driver gives a thumbs-up from inside a tractor cab during Operation Safe Driver Week 2026, highlighting fleet safety, responsible driving and enforcement awareness.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJuly 16, 2026

Operation Safe Driver Week: Why the Industry's Oldest Safety Campaign Still Matters to Fleets

A look at how a 2007 enforcement initiative became one of the most consequential weeks on the fleet safety calendar, and what it means for your drivers in 2026.

Read More →
Nexar and nauto logos
Safetyby StaffJuly 13, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
A black square with white color font text
SponsoredJuly 2, 2026

From Silos to Solutions: Relationship Management for Safer Fleets

From telematics adoption and driver accountability to policy consistency and risk mitigation, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a safer fleet culture without slowing business down.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
IIHS HLDI text overlaid on the trunks of pick up trucks.
Safetyby Chris BrownJuly 2, 2026

IIHS Launches First Commercial Vehicle Safety Evaluations

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has begun evaluating heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans for driver protection. Which models earned top marks?

Read More →