Foolproof - no. IRL the crew would typically drive up to a seemingly safe place, then dismount to recon ahead on foot. The AC's etc just make them able to get out and back much quicker than leg troops.
Until the rewrite, your best bet is trying to find keyholing terrain to observe from hull down, or occasionally drive fast laterally across an area with LOS in hopes that they spot something but get behind cover before enemy fire catches up with them.
I love AC's and am really looking forward to their use in CMAK, but, like you, mine mostly serve notice of enemy presence by spectacularly exploding to point out an ATG or AFV.