Originally Posted by
Cadd
I tried doing that, but it's just so hard to get used to!!! I know it's ********, but I like to see a very very tiny portion of the side of my car in the side mirrors. Your way is the "elite" way of doing it, but I just can't get used to it. I don't know if anyone else does this for blind spots...older folks may not want to twist their heads back in a swift motion. You can easily look at your side mirrors, and then LEAN FORWARD a foot or two and you'll see your blind spot that way. But that takes longer than a head check.
It's not "elite", it really is best. You don't need to see the rear/side of your car at all times -- as I've heard in a course, "If the rear of your car is no longer following you, then you've got much bigger problems to worry about."
Turning your head too far can make you swerve (just like cyclists often do when we turn to look back); leaning forward and turning to look is even worse since you're tugging on the steering wheel, which is the primary control device for the car.
When you need to look along the side of your car via the side mirror, tilt your head towards the window.
Go here:
http://www.police.york.on.ca/erase/Video.htm
Watch the two videos for mirrors. Heck, watch them all, and spread the link -- this stuff is better than anything I remember from my own driver's testing.