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Sitting in front of a steering wheel is a matter of huge responsibility, the responsibility of protecting the lives of people travelling with you in the car and also on the road. A little mistake or ignorance in adjusting the rear-view mirrors can result in a severe accident. Adjusting rear view mirrors may not sound like an important safety step, but it plays an important role in improving rear visibility. Every car has three rear-view mirrors, IRVM (Inside Rear View Mirror)

 

·         Left ORVM (Outside Rear View Mirror)

 

·         Right ORVM (Outside Rear View Mirror)

 

Whether your vehicle has manually adjustable mirrors or electrically powered ones, the setup process remains the same. This blog highlight step-by-step guide to adjust these three mirrors.

 

Before adjusting the mirrors, always ensure you are seated comfortably in your correct driving position. Your seat height, backrest angle, and steering position should be properly set first.

 

 

 

Without leaving the driver’s seat, lean your upper body toward the left up to the position you are comfortable with.

 

Now adjust the left ORVM so that at least two-thirds of the mirror shows the road behind.

 

Once you return to your normal driving position, you should notice:

 

·         A slight view of your car’s edge

 

·         A wider, clearer view of the road behind

 

This positioning helps reduce blind spots on the left side.

 

 

Lean toward the right until your head is almost touching the window.

 

Adjust the right ORVM so that again, at least two-thirds of the mirror shows the road behind.

 

When you return to your normal driving posture, the mirror should provide:

 

·         Minimal view of your vehicle’s body

 

·         Maximum view of the traffic behind

 

This ensures better visibility of vehicles crossing your vehicle from the right lane.

 

 

Now sit back in your natural driving position.

 

Adjust the IRVM so that you get the clear and widest view of the rear windscreen. The mirror should clearly show the entire rear window without needing you to move your head.

 

The IRVM complements your side mirrors and helps cover areas that the ORVMs might miss.

 

Once done, your visibility setup is complete — and you're ready to drive safely.

 

 

Correct mirror positioning:

 

·         Reduces blind spots

 

·         Enhances situational awareness

 

·         Makes lane changes safer

 

·        Minimises the risk of side collisions

 

Many accidents occur due to improper visibility rather than reckless driving. Spending just a minute to adjust your mirrors properly can make a significant difference in road safety.