That US Marine Harrier pilot knows how important vision is while flying. Vision, and proper adjustment of rearview mirrors is equally important when you're driving on Richmond highways.

A US Marine who used to work on Harrier Jump Jets once said of the planes, “Wings are overrated.” Of course, he was kidding. In fact, the comment was funny because it was the absolute opposite of the truth. We all know that wings are essential to a heavier-than-air craft (dirigibles are considered lighter-than-air craft and helicopters, essentially, have wings that rotate above the craft).

If you were to say that vision is overrated when driving a car on a Richmond road, the joke is the same – it’s absolutely the opposite of the truth. Vision is absolutely essential to safely operating a car, truck or SUV – any motorized vehicle on the roadways.

When you talk about vision while driving, this refers to night and day, as well as front, back and to the sides. The better your vision, in all directions and conditions, the more you’re able to adjust your driving to increase safety.

Looking forward, this means that you should keep the windshield clean. You may want to take this more seriously than some do. Wiping down the windows may look good until the sun, or someone’s headlights, bear down through the glass. Suddenly, you’re liable to recognize the streaks your efforts left in their wake. Instead of enhancing your vision, you’ve actually harmed your ability to see clearly.

Make sure your headlights work and that they’re clean. In fact, you may want to ensure that you’re using the best bulbs in your headlights that will do the most to enhance your vision at night.

The principle of cleaning your car windows applies out the sides and the back. And, when the Richmond weather plays havoc with your vision, it’s critical to clean snow and frost away so you can see clearly. You may also want to warm the car enough so that the windows don’t fog up as you drive. But, rearward vision goes beyond cleaning the windows. It also applies to proper adjustment of the mirrors.

You generally have a side mirror on each side of the car and a rearview mirror suspended from the windshield. The goal when adjusting your mirrors is to eliminate or, at least, to reduce blind spots. A blind spot is a place where a vehicle, even a motorcycle, can drive near your car, truck or SUV and you won’t be able to see them. If you don’t know they’re there, you can’t take appropriate measures to avoid an accident. You may pull into them without realizing it.

So, how do you adjust your car, truck or SUV’s mirrors? Here is a short lesson in adjusting your mirrors:

Step 1. Adjust the rearview mirror so you have a clear view out the rear window. You should be able to see out the rear window without your own head blocking your view (use a different mirror to check your hair and not while you’re driving).
Step 2. Sitting in the driver’s seat,  move your head over until it’s pressed against the driver-side window. Now, adjust the driver-side mirror so that you can just barely see the side of your vehicle, looking along the side of the car and not at the ground or the sky.
Step 3. Lean so your head is over the console and adjust the passenger-side mirror the same way so that you can see along the passenger side of the vehicle.