Final answer:
Drivers should check their mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds, which is not listed among the provided options. This mirror-checking frequency is crucial for maintaining situational awareness and road safety. The distance and speed calculation, like in Bridget's observation, is important to determine the safe crossing of a road in the presence of an approaching car.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is generally recommended that you check your mirrors approximately every 5 to 8 seconds when driving under normal conditions. This practice helps in maintaining situational awareness and can be crucial for safely operating a vehicle. This frequency may increase in complex driving environments, such as heavy traffic or when changing lanes. Not mentioned in the specific options provided, the 5 to 8-second rule considers the dynamic traffic situations and adjusts mirror checking frequency accordingly.
Understanding the importance of regular mirror checking is essential for road safety. For instance, Bridget's observation of cars traveling the 50 m distance between poles in 3 seconds can be used to approximate their speed, indicating the necessity of drivers to stay aware of their surroundings and other vehicles' positions. Knowing the time it takes for a car to cover a certain distance is crucial in making safe driving decisions.
If a car is 28 m away and traveling at a speed where 50 m is covered in 3 seconds, one must evaluate if there's sufficient time to safely cross the road. Crossing the road with a car approaching at this distance could be dangerous, as it does not provide enough time for a pedestrian to safely cross before the car reaches them, considering an average pedestrian walking speed.