The odds and statistics are terrifying for teen drivers. The Texas Handbook suggests that the leading cause of death among youth in the United States (ages 16-24) is alcohol-related auto accidents. The second leading cause of death is accidents not related to alcohol. One of a driver’s most valuable assets is their years of experience behind the wheel. We know there is nothing a parent can do to give their children that experience. Experience can only be gained through time spent driving on the road, as every parent’s nightmare is a teen driver.

The issue of traditional or contemporary side mirror configuration is the start of the first big battle between teens and many parents when we start teaching the fundamentals of driving. Parents are immediately confused when we teach their children the new technique of placing the mirror further away. In my experience, the best way to resolve the conflict is to first clarify how the blind zones are created.

It is important to explain that the traditional method requires the driver to position the mirrors where the entire side of the car is visible. This is what creates an area that can hide an entire vehicle or motorcycle. To compensate for hidden vehicles, many parents were trained to quickly look over their shoulders. I point out that three things happen with this method: 1. Eyes are taken away from the road they are traveling on, putting them at risk of not seeing changes in the traffic scene. 2. Because focus is removed from the path of travel, a moment of crisis is created. due to divided attention 3. Increased tendency to drift into lane being cleared.

I always stress that contemporary settings will help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in a number of ways. The technique to do this is to adjust the interior mirror so that it frames the rear window. Adjusting the driver’s side mirror is simple, you just lean out the window and adjust the mirror so that you can barely see the car. The process is repeated by leaning towards the center and repeating the process for the passenger side. This new method eliminates the need to look over your shoulder. The first problem is that the blind zone is eliminated by placing the mirrors further away. Secondly, the tendency to drift is resolved, because the eyes move towards the mirror and finally the divided attention crisis is reduced.