How to adjust your car mirrors to avoid blind spots

[DanT]

Earlier today another driver almost got hit cutting into my lane. This was in West Sacramento, CA, where Westbound US Hwy 50 ends by blending into I-80. (From the perspective of someone on US Hwy 50, which stays more or less straight, the I-80 drivers are merging into our lanes.) When I got behind his sea-green Prius with Illinois license plates and saw that I could see his reflection in both of his side-view mirrors, it made me think there might be some folks on the Planet that could benefit from information on how to properly adjust their car mirrors to avoid blind spots.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...d-blind-spots/

P.S. On the opposite side of the highway, where eastbound US Hwy 50 begins, is a sign that includes the amusing information that Ocean City MD is 3,073 miles away. https://www.capradio.org/articles/20...-md-3073-sign/

[Megatron96]

Started adjusting my mirrors in this fashion about ten years ago. Takes a minute to get used to. But no more blindspots.

[DanT]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Started adjusting my mirrors in this fashion about ten years ago. Takes a minute to get used to. But no more blindspots.

Yep, exactly! I only started using this approach about 10 years ago myself, and it was a little weird at first, but it's easy to get used to and so much better. It also makes you notice how badly positioned other drivers' mirrors are. It's ridiculous to be right behind a driver and be able to see their face reflected in all three of their mirrors.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by DanT

Yep, exactly! I only started using this approach about 10 years ago myself, and it was a little weird at first, but it's easy to get used to and so much better. It also makes you notice how badly positioned other drivers' mirrors are. It's ridiculous to be right behind a driver and be able to see their face reflected in all three of their mirrors.

Exactly. Once you think about it a little, it makes perfect sense, and how people traditionally adjusted their mirrors is pretty stupid. no reason to be able to see the side of your car, much more reasonable to be able to see the car next to you. Also means a lot less turning my neck to find cars in the blindspots.

[Rasputin]

This is a good educational information to keep from being blind sided by a methed out deer on the interstate.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Exactly. Once you think about it a little, it makes perfect sense, and how people traditionally adjusted their mirrors is pretty stupid. no reason to be able to see the side of your car, much more reasonable to be able to see the car next to you. Also means a lot less turning my neck to find cars in the blindspots.

Yeah, even though the article suggests you won't need to, I would recommend you still always check your blind spots before changing lanes.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Yeah, even though the article suggests you won't need to, I would recommend you still always check your blind spots before changing lanes.

Well yeah. Hence the bit about "turning my neck a lot less." As opposed to not at all.

Oh I get it. So I check over my shoulder, I just don't have to turn my head as far back, or turn it as many degrees. The mirrors give me enough information that I only have to check the area immediately abreast, not all the way back to the rear quarter panel area, if that makes sense. I'm talking about basically the number of degrees I have to turn my head, not the frequency or number of times of turning my head.

[Jewish Rabbi]

I’m the most important person on the road and people should adjust to me /BWillie

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

I’m the most important person on the road and people should adjust to me /BWillie

I've had no problem with blind spots. I just, you know, turn my head and look.

I do love to go 5 over in the left lane indefinitely though. The best thing ever.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I've had no problem with blind spots. I just, you know, turn my head and look.

I do love to go 5 over in the left lane indefinitely though. The best thing ever.

You do know there is a reason its called a blind spot. Oh, forget it I forgot who I was talking to.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by srvy

You do know there is a reason its called a blind spot. Oh, forget it I forgot who I was talking to.

Its a blind spot because most people are too lazy to turn around and look. And they just rely on using their mirrors. I suppose if you have a massive truck or semi you'll have a true blind spot but not most cars...if you just move and look.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Its a blind spot because most people are too lazy to turn around and look. And they just rely on using their mirrors. I suppose if you have a massive truck or semi you'll have a true blind spot but not most cars...if you just move and look.

You know you're not driving a fighter jet with a clear pulldown canopy. You are in an auto most likely a hardtop with windows and doors and beams to that stiffen and strengthen the roof to chassis. That creates a blind spot between doors and windows that a peer back and side no matter what you do blocks a good portion of your side and peripheral view. If you could see through it you wouldn't need side view mirrors and they wouldn't be required on autos.

Of course I knew you knew this

[dlphg9]

Originally Posted by srvy

You do know there is a reason its called a blind spot. Oh, forget it I forgot who I was talking to.

Already starting to forget who you are talking to. Poor geriatric ****.

[Bugeater]

Most new cars have blind spot indicators. Step yer game up.

[DanT]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Most new cars have blind spot indicators. Step yer game up.

My car, a 2018 Honda Accord, has them, but those indicators don’t provide as much useful information as properly adjusted mirrors can. For example, the mirrors help make it easier to verify that an adjacent line is clear of rapidly approaching cars from other lanes. Blind spot systems mainly give information on cars already abreast or nearly abreast of you.