Looking over your shoulder?

Johnny86

Hi,
At what times can (if ever) look over your shoulder?
Some people are telling me you can never look over your shoulder while others say you can when reversing etc?
Help appreciated.

pixeldesign

Yes you can when reversing.

tomcollins97

Why would you want to when you have mirrors?

JodTT

I can remember being told by an instructor to give a quick glance over my shoulder when about to pull out onto a road, say in an estate, just to make sure there isn't a car on the opposite side of the road (just outside your mirror scope) trying to pull out at the same time.

Mirrors don't always give a full picture, and to be safe, I often glance over my shoulder quickly when changing lanes on a motorway or dual carriageway.

Johnny86

tomcollins97 wrote: »

Why would you want to when you have mirrors?

Well is there a blind spot that your right mirror doesnt show?

**Timbuk2**

I check my blindspot when
- Changing lanes. There may be a motorbike/car in your blindspot and you will end up moving right into it if you don't glance over your shoulder.
- Pulling off. There could be another car/pedestrian/bike in your blindspot, as many of these will think you are parked and go around you.
- When reversing, you should have 360 degrees observation, which includes blindspots.

When you are doing your reverse around the corner, make sure to check your right blindspot before you start turning as the front of your car swings out a bit.

Also, when checking your blindspot, don't actually look behind you. Look to the side a bit, and use your peripheral vision to check the blindspot. This is so you can still see what's going on in front of you. For example, if you are on a motorway travelling 120km/h, and you take your eyes off the road for half a second, you have travelled 15 metres without looking. Obviously it gets less as you are going slower, but it still is significant.

seamus

You should look over your shoulder any time when your movements may affect someone who is not in your immediate forward field of view.

Your mirrors cannot be trusted to give you a clear picture of what's going on behind you.

On top of Timbuk2's changing lanes and pulling off from a stop, look over your shoulder before you turn left or right.

keithclancy

In general just 'look where your going' ...

Literally, sound likes a smart arse remark but it actually makes alot of sense.

Its better to think 'can i see the direction i am travelling in' rather than 'what am i supposed to look at'

MascotDec85

Johnny86 wrote: »

Hi,
At what times can (if ever) look over your shoulder?
Some people are telling me you can never look over your shoulder while others say you can when reversing etc?
Help appreciated.

I really don't mean this badly but for your own good. If you need to ask that question (I presume you are learning or are about to start learning) that you should ask for the help of an ADI and not your pals

Full_TiltKeith

I thought the only time to look over your right shoulder would be when you are pulling off..... According the the ISM practical driving test DVD, for changing lanes, look at your rear view, signal then side mirror the Manovure?

As regards reversing, always look in the direction you are going so, looking over your left shoulder.

Magenta

tomcollins97 wrote: »

Why would you want to when you have mirrors?

I wonder how many times you have swerved in front of someone when coming onto a DC/motorway because you didn't look over your shoulder to check your blindspot?

robbie_998

tomcollins97 wrote: »

Why would you want to when you have mirrors?

Blind spots.

I look over my shoulder for reversing around corners changing lanes on motorways etc. (again blind spots mirrors cant see)

when pulling off out into traffic and that.

Don't lean forward and look trough your mirror at an angle.... just not a good idea.