Observation and awareness

By the end of this topic you can

• You can use all mirrors at the right times, not just before you signal.
• You can check blind spots before moving off and when changing lanes.
• You can scan the road far ahead, to the sides and behind in a regular pattern.
• You can spot pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who are hard to see.
• You can act on what you see, not just look.

What you need to know and understand

• Before moving off, check all mirrors, look round for blind spots, signal if needed, and take a final look round (Highway Code rule 159).
• Use your mirrors often so you always know what is behind and beside you, and in good time before you signal or change speed or direction (rule 161).
• Mirrors do not cover everything. Blind spots are areas you cannot see in the mirrors, so you need to look round (rule 161).
• The routine is mirrors, signal, manoeuvre (rules 161 and 163).
• Cyclists and motorcyclists are easy to miss, especially at junctions and when filtering. Always look out for them before you emerge (rule 211).
• Large vehicles have big blind spots. If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, they probably cannot see you.
• Those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce danger to others (rule 204 and the hierarchy of road users).

Mirrors, used at the right moments

Check your interior mirror and the relevant door mirror before you signal, change direction, change speed, open a door or move off. Also glance at them every few seconds on a normal drive, so you always have a picture of what is behind.

Looking is only half the job. Ask yourself what the mirror tells you: is that cyclist closing in, is the van behind too close for you to brake hard? Then act on it.

Blind spots and the look round

Every car has blind spots beside and slightly behind the driver, plus areas hidden by the door pillars. A cyclist or car can sit there unseen.

Look over your shoulder before moving off, before pulling out from behind a parked car and when changing lanes on multi-lane roads. Keep it quick so you do not lose sight of the road ahead.

1. Check the interior mirror.
2. Check the door mirror on the side you are moving to.
3. Take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot.
4. Signal if it would help anyone.
5. Make a final check, then move only when it is safe.

Scanning the whole scene

Lift your eyes and look as far ahead as the road allows, then work back towards the car. Check side roads, driveways, parked cars and pavements. Children, dogs and car doors can all appear from between parked vehicles (rule 152).

At junctions, look in every direction more than once. A quick look can miss a motorcyclist approaching fast. Where your view is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see properly.

Common mistakes

• Checking mirrors only after signalling. The mirror check comes first so your signal is based on what is behind.
• Looking without seeing. Name what you saw to yourself, for example "cyclist behind, keep the turn gentle".
• Forgetting the blind spot when moving off. Always look over your right shoulder before pulling out.
• Fixing your eyes just in front of the bonnet. Raise your view to plan earlier.
• Emerging after one quick look at a junction. Look again, especially for bikes.

Test yourself: Observation and awareness

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Mirror Signal Manoeuvre
• Driving Near Lorries and Buses