Final answer:
While driving, in addition to using mirrors, it's essential to perform shoulder checks, use headlights for visibility, and be observant of the road and surroundings to anticipate potential risks and ensure safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
When driving a vehicle, it is important to not solely rely on mirrors to check if the way is clear. Instead, one should also always perform a shoulder check by briefly turning one's head to look over the shoulder and check for vehicles in the blind spots, which are the areas not visible in the mirrors. This practice significantly reduces the chance of collision when changing lanes or merging into traffic. Additionally, it's critical to maintain awareness of one's surroundings by periodically scanning the road, checking for pedestrians, and being attentive to the behavior of other drivers and potential hazards. Using headlights during low visibility conditions can also help make one's vehicle more visible to others.
Observation and anticipation are key to safe driving – for example, noticing a woman with a baby stroller or a dog running into the street requires immediate attention and can prompt a driver to slow down or stop. Evaluating the situational risk like the distance of an approaching car (28 m away) must be done quickly and accurately to ensure whether it is safe to cross the road. The interpretation of road signs is also essential for understanding and complying with traffic regulations, ensuring both the safety of the driver and that of other road users.
Road safety is not only about following rules but also about understanding and anticipating potential risks. Regularly observing the behavior of other drivers, such as speed conformance, and making prudent decisions about when and where to cross roads is vital. Always prioritize factual information over personal opinions when making decisions on the road.