How frequently should you check your mirrors while driving?

Checking your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds is essential for maintaining awareness of your surroundings while driving. This frequency allows you to effectively monitor traffic conditions, anticipate the movements of other vehicles, and ensure that you are prepared for any unexpected situations. Frequent mirror checks can help you stay informed about blind spots and the positions of vehicles around you, which is particularly crucial for a Class B CDL driver responsible for larger vehicles that have significant blind spots.

Longer intervals of not checking your mirrors, such as 10 to 12 seconds or more, could lead to missing important changes in the driving environment, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in busy traffic conditions. Therefore, the 5 to 8-second interval strikes a balance between maintaining focus on the road ahead and ensuring you have situational awareness that is vital for safe driving.