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. 

Ad Loading...

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 AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 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 →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 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.
Sponsored•August 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 →
Ad Loading...
conference attendees watching a speaker
Safety•by Staff•August 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 →