why don't they use convex mirrors on the driver side to eliminate blind spots?

[Lifer]

on the PASSNEGER side, they use a convex mirror to eliminate blind spots.
therefore 'objects are closer than they appear' from that mirror, which increases the field of vision.

now why don't they do that on the DRIVER side mirror to eliminate that blind spot.
i never have to look over my shoulder on the right side because that mirror covers most of the blind spot.
but on the driver side, i ALWAYS check over my left shoulder before i change lanes.

does a convex mirror not work on the driver side to reduce blind spots?

 

[NogginBoink]

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that some law requires a planar mirror so the driver can judge distances better.

 

[Kntx]

both my mirrors say objects are closer than they appear.

so i assume they are both convex?

 

[NutBucket]

Because then neither mirror would give you true depth of field. Sure you can measure distance relative to your car but it is easier with a true 1:1 mirror.

 

[Lifer]

Originally posted by: Kntx
both my mirrors say objects are closer than they appear.

so i assume they are both convex?

really? what car?
i've never seen a car with that before (not including pickups and larger SUV's with dual mirrors on each side).

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Because then neither mirror would give you true depth of field. Sure you can measure distance relative to your car but it is easier with a true 1:1 mirror.

that's what the rear view is for

 

[TubStain]

Just buy one of those small convex mirrros at your local store and stick it on your mirror. Thats what I did, and I no longer need to look over. I tested its location to make sure it covers my entire blind spot and its perfect.

You need to have a flat mirror to notice cars coming up at high speed from behind you on the left as yu plan on changing lanes. Or you could look in your rear view as well.

 

[Mark R]

On most new cars I've seen, the inner half of the driver's mirror is planar and the outer half convex - thereby solving both problems.

 

[Ornery]

My wife said she couldn't understand what the point of this little mirror was. Tuff to figure out, eh?

 

[kami333]

That's kinda big, it would annoy me.

I think the Toyota Land Cruiser that I drove sometimes had convex on both sides.

 

[Lifer]

but why don't they come stock?
wouldn't it remove blind spots on the driver side?

 

[LethalWolfe]

I have "normal" side mirrors on my ca r(95 buick skylark) and they cover my blind spots. You just have to play w/them until you get overlapping fields of vision between your rear view, your side views, and yer eyes. When a car is passing me it travels from my rear view, into my side view, into my peripheral<sp?> vision and it's never "lost" in a blind spot.

I never need to look over my should but sometimes I do just out of habbit. And the fact 3 weeks after getting my license I had an accident when I changed lanes into another car so I'm a little paranoid sometimes.

Lethal

 

[jagr10]

WHy are people so lazy. Just shoulder check!

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: jagr10
WHy are people so lazy. Just shoulder check!

Normally I would agree. But in LA traffic where it's bumper-to-bumper that regurlarly surges from a stand still, to 60 mph, back to a stand still in a mile or less a shoulder check could cause a pile up.


Lethal

 

[csiro]

Do this. Like LethalWolfe suggested, you'll never need to check over your shoulder again. This is much safer too as taking your eyes away to check your blind spot can be dangerous.

 

[Ornery]

"...you'll never need to check over your shoulder again."

Always remember that to be 100% certain there is not a car in your blind spot - LOOK - when preparing to change lanes.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
My guess (and this is just a guess) is that some law requires a planar mirror so the driver can judge distances better.

That's what I was about to say - depth perception is a little awkward with a curved mirror

 

[csiro]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"...you'll never need to check over your shoulder again."

Always remember that to be 100% certain there is not a car in your blind spot - LOOK - when preparing to change lanes.

Hehe.. that's just a disclaimer so that they got their butts covered. But you don't really need to check.

 

[Linux23]

i check only when there are a lot of cars on the road with me. otherwise, i don't check.

 

[her209]

The only purpose to those mirrors are to check yourself before going on a date.

 

[theAnimal]

The reason they are called side view mirrors is so that you can see what's beside you. There's no need for three rear view mirrors.