Can I use the rearview mirror to drive in reverse?
It's tempting to reverse your car and turn back using your rearview mirror to see where you're going. DO NOT DO THAT! It is very dangerous to use a car's rearview mirror to drive in reverse. This mirror should only be used when driving forward to see cars behind you. It can also be used as a backup supplement, giving you a direct view right behind your vehicle.
Why can't you use a mirror?
There are several reasons why you should never rely on your rearview mirror when reversing. Most importantly, though, it doesn't give you a full field of view. It only shows what is immediately behind your car. Even in this case, nothing is visible under the trunk lid. Typically, it's about 30 to 45 feet from the car before you can actually see the pavement.
How to backup correctly
In order to move in reverse, you need to do a few things:
Check the rear view mirror to determine if there are people or vehicles directly behind you
Check side mirrors to determine if people or vehicles are moving towards you from any direction
Turn your head over your right shoulder and physically look back while backing up
Ideally, you will never back up further than necessary to get out of a parking space. However, there will most likely be times when you have to move further in reverse. In these cases, you will still have to turn your head over your shoulder after carefully checking all three mirrors.
And what about the rear view camera?
Reversing cameras have become very popular and are now actually legal for new cars sold in the US. However, they are not a panacea. Even the best rearview camera won't give you the field of view you need for true safety. The best course of action is to use your rearview mirror and camera, as well as physically look back and limit the number of trips you make in reverse.
