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/

[ModSocks]

Blind spot mirrors are $10 at any auto parts store. Problem solved. My Trans Am has horrible blind spots due to those massive sail panels and shallow rear deck. I put blind spot mirrors on it, godsend. And I still turn my head because.

[DJay23]

Hmm. I've adjusted my mirrors like this for some time when I thought, "Why do I need to see the side of my own car?"

My question is, do people still look over their shoulder too? I still do it 90% of the time, unless I am all alone on the highway at night for example.

[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 ****.

[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

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by srvy

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

You cant see 100% with the stock mirrors or by turning your head. But by doing both you effectively remove...the blind spot. Not rocket science.

When I used to do insurance claims it boggled my mind how many ppl just dont look. They will just look at mirrors when backing up in a busy parking lot. They'll be like I looked in all my mirrors and there was nobody there! Well did you turn around and look...you know...around. Well no why would I do that!

[RedRaider56]

I use my blind spot monitors in conjunction with turning my head an looking into the lane. Old habits die hard and this is one I'm glad I've kept.

[Lzen]

I started doing this several years ago. I learned it in a defensive driving class.

[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.

[Frazod]

Back in the day, whenever I got a new vehicle the first thing I would do is add the round spot mirrors. My current car came equipped with something similar so it wasn't necessary.

I would also add that drivers in the Sacramento area are nastiest ****ers on earth. Everybody drove like a speed freak lunatic on crack.

[duncan_idaho]

My newest ride came with the blindspot mirrors built into the mirrors. I love it and honestly wonder how I survived so long without them.

[Bugeater]

OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR

[KurtCobain]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

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

WTF is a "new car"?

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by KurtCobain

WTF is a "new car"?

My wife has one

[loochy]

Originally Posted by KurtCobain

WTF is a "new car"?

It's sumthin those dang ol rich folk drive...like one o dem dere '96 Tauruses

[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.