In terms of wing-mirrors, there is no "correct", just whether you can see or not. If you can see the entire area to that side of your car (or as much as possible), that's correct.
The only thing I do specifically is sometimes put the off-side one down a tad, which helps with parking.
The only way is to do as much as possible. I remember I used to be nervous about certain things. Driving to new cities, fretting about where to park etc. Now however, because I do so much driving (have been known to do 1000 miles in a week for various jobs and castings and classes) my friends and family say I am like a truck driver!
Once you have driven around all of the major cities through necessity (in persuit of work) a few times it really becomes much easier. Never before would I have even thought about driving to London. Now I can happily drive around the centre, my salsa music blaring, munching on an apple without so much as a second thought. Although sometimes I do look up at picadilly circus as I am passing and grin to myself for being so 'grown up'. I always thought driving in cities and on motorways was just for dads!
But it is really about just doing it! Just make yourself and it becomes easy. Think about it too, roads don't really change much so once you've driven around a bit, you really have cracked it for life. Just get out there!
Good luck!
@DonnaLouise "Now I can happily drive around the centre, my salsa music blaring, munching on an apple without so much as a second thought".
Hmmm. Hope I see you coming when I am on my motorbike!
Back to the original. Specific on wing mirrors - don't have them pointing outwards too much - that can leave a gap where you might miss a bike / motorbike. i.e. make sure they just show the side of the car. Vertical adjustment - no point having them pointing up in the air, show as much of the road as poss as well as straight back.
Aim to be careful without being hesitant! Build up gradually. Enjoy (you will eventually).
careful without being hesitant is a great way of putting it.
At first almost over use your mirrors just so you begin to trust them. I still nearly always look over my shoulder as well just in case so maybe do that. Use your mirrors but back it up by physically looking too wherever you can. Even if you think you're being over cautious. I think all drivers have had that moment when another vehicle only became apparent on that second check.
Re parking in tight spaces, again its just practice! Just get to know your car and also make yourself reverse park even when you don't need to. Just for the practice. Go out on a Sunday morning when its quiet, find a safe road or two and reverse park over and over. Its all about the practice which eventually leads to trust in both yourself and your car.
X
Hi Fuzz
if you really haven't driven for 23 years I would suggest having a couple of refresher lessons. Cars and traffic are so different now. I think going out with an instructor would help your confidence. As for parking again an instructor can help you with that much easier than any of us could write a description. Years ago, I think in the 70s there was a public information film about how to park with a character called Reginald Molehusband. I don't know if it is on YouTube but if was very helpful to me.
You can get special stickers to stick onto your wing mirrors which help you see how far you are away from the curb and I think they are invaluble when helping me park. I think they are about 5 pounds from Halfords.
With parking it's a good idea to practice with something similar to traffic cones, so it doesn't matter if you knock them over the first few times. Reversing into a parking space is actually easier than trying to go in front first, and I've always found it a lot easier getting out, as the lock that gets you in is the lock that gets you out. With wing mirrors, worryingly, wherever you position them there will always be blind spots - best to park at the kerb and just take a minute to adjust them noting the passing traffic, and at what point it dissappears from view. Big, double interior mirrors are often even more useful than wing mirrors for seeing what's coming up behind, from both sides, and can also help with reverse parking.
If you can schedule it, start by driving and practicing maneouvres like three-point turns and parking at very quiet times like Sunday mornings around 9/9:30ish. There are fewer cars on the road so it's less stressful. As you get more confident, "graduate" to busier times like weekdays middle of the day, Saturdays (everyone seems to be out shopping, ferrying kids, etc.) and finally rush hour.
This is what my dad did with me, AFTER I passed my test to get me used to real road conditions. Driving is invaluable to our profession as so many auditions and interviews can take place in locations that aren't necessarily public-transport friendly. If you live outside the M25 like me it makes the difference between endless hours on train and tube and being in my own space, listening to whatever.
Beware of too much eating and drinking at the wheel though! Besides perhaps affecting your reactions to traffic conditions, technically it is against the law and you can be handed a ticket by an over-zealous policeman looking to bump the take in their patch. After all, it's driving one-handed and (possibly) not giving due attention to the road!
Must catch that Fuzz.
I passed my driving test about 7 weeks ago and bought my car on Saturday. I just LOVE it and now I can go for those jobs where the part calls for drivers or where you need a car to get to venues.
Getting better at reverse parking too - just keep practicing.
xxx
All the time Fuzz! Andbeeping too. But there are cameras and if they want to get caught, that's their business. Seemingly, Islington are going to make all roads 20 milles an hour - now that's nuts. They're also reducing the number of fire engines in the Upper Street station to one. Anyone want to start an actor's collective on a remote island?
I was a driving instructor and my advice is, you should only see a sliver of the side of your car in the side of the mirror and the line of the horizon should fall in the middle of the mirror. Do keep in mind that the external mirrors are convex lenses and they make things look smaller and further away. The interior mirror is flat and shows a true picture, so use that to help judge merging in traffic.
Feel free to ask any other questions.
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