Driver's side blind spot
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I agree with what 3sACROWD state’s above. Adjust the mirrors properly and the blind spot is virtually eliminated. I still do turn my head for a quick look to the side even with the mirrors adjusted.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
I don't turn my head over my shoulder at all as I can see everything entirely due to the wider range.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; May 2, 2019 at 04:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
I quit riding after 45+ years of motorcycling. There are just too many distracted drivers on the roads these days, and after riding as many years as I did, my number had to be about to come up. I think I'll have just as much fun with a Vette, and I'll at least have some protection around me compared to a bike...and a seatbelt...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
As much as it appears you don't like motorcycles, they are a reality. I personally think EVERYONE should learn to ride a motorcycle. If people realized how vulnerable they really are (car or bike) they might actually be more aware and better drivers. When my friend's son started to drive three years ago. I gave him a key and a bullet. I then told him that putting a key in the ignition is the same as putting a bullet in a gun. Point either one of them at someone and you can kill them. He has been ticket and accident free.
Last edited by 3sACROWD; May 2, 2019 at 05:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
Your choice is yours. I still won't trust anybody with the stick on wide angle mirrors. I will still give you the Corvette wave as I move passed you.
As much as it appears you don't like motorcycles, they are a reality. I personally think EVERYONE should learn to ride a motorcycle. If people realized how vulnerable they really are (car or bike) they might actually be more aware and better drivers. When my friend's son started to drive three years ago. I gave him a key and a bullet. I then told him that putting a key in the ignition is the same as putting a bullet in a gun. Point either one of them at someone and you can kill them. He has been ticket and accident free.
As much as it appears you don't like motorcycles, they are a reality. I personally think EVERYONE should learn to ride a motorcycle. If people realized how vulnerable they really are (car or bike) they might actually be more aware and better drivers. When my friend's son started to drive three years ago. I gave him a key and a bullet. I then told him that putting a key in the ignition is the same as putting a bullet in a gun. Point either one of them at someone and you can kill them. He has been ticket and accident free.
The reality is motorcycles are death machines.
You're asking for it, one mistake and you're done..
A buddy of mine slid a Harley at 30 mph on a curve on some pebbles on city streets and smashed into the side of a parked car
It took several operations and 2 years for him to recover and he's still not the same.
In the meantime he lost almost everything.
There's always some guy every few months going too fast on curves hitting a guard rail on the highways around here.
Then there was the time a guy stood his bike and did a wheelie in front of me at 55 mph
then accelerated..
Impressive stunt.
I'll go with the Europeans and modern OEM with blindspot mirrors.
You can continue driving half blind as you seem to be proud about it.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; May 3, 2019 at 03:25 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 329
The US government (also known as our government) seems to know us quite well. If some of the posts here are correct, I have been incorrectly deploying my side mirrors for years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 779
Likes: 67
From: Simi Valley Ca
St. Jude Donor '12
I fully agree, I'd been riding motorcycles for years and I know it makes you a better driver because you become more aware of your surroundings as you travel the roads. I also took the CHP motorcycle safety course to get some professional tips. I sold my bike a couple of years ago because of all the idiots in cages that I would see texting while driving and not paying attention.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 100
From: New Jersey
What I've done ever since I've had coupes is just lean forward to change my perspective in the drivers mirror. This allows you to see your blind spot. A lot easier than checking over your shoulder and hoping theres nothing behind the pillar, at least for me.
The car I started doing this in was a 2006 eclipse GT. Have never had a car with a worse blind spot before or since.
The car I started doing this in was a 2006 eclipse GT. Have never had a car with a worse blind spot before or since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
I've got a convertible AND convex mirrors. I never have to turn my head to see my blind spots. And for all you anti motorcycle nitwits, I've got one of those too. Been riding for almost 50 years. I don't ever plan on quitting, no matter how bad you guys drive.
Last edited by o2bnkc; May 4, 2019 at 06:00 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 326
Likes: 43
From: Woodstock Ga
so many people in the world dont push their mirrors out . you should not see the car behind you in 3 mirrors . its a tiny blind spot and you can just move your head 2 inches to the side. Split the cars in half bt your mirrors.
Last edited by Riteaidkid84; May 4, 2019 at 11:47 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 105
Likes: 36
From: Homer Glen IL
Another benefit of the 'SAE side view mirror' aiming method not already mentioned is that if a car is directly behind you with it's high beams on, you're only getting blinded by the center rear view mirror, which is easily dimmed. If you're getting blinded by high beams in your side view mirror adjusted per the mentioned method, that car is right off your flank, which is rare and easily remedied by speeding up or slowing down a little. Not much you can do about the car driving behind you on a one lane road with the high beams on.
I'm with the other believers in that method.. no blind spot, no turning your head to look over your shoulder (well, rarely needed), no high beam blinding from behind at night, and about a week to adjust to it then you wonder how you drove before you did it.
I'm with the other believers in that method.. no blind spot, no turning your head to look over your shoulder (well, rarely needed), no high beam blinding from behind at night, and about a week to adjust to it then you wonder how you drove before you did it.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
Likes: 65
From: South Salem NY
Most people have their mirrors on their cars maladjusted and this topic is like asking "what oil should I use". Your side view mirrors are likely adjusted too far inwards. For whatever reason, people like to see the car that is directly behind them in all three mirrors when in fact only the rearview mirror should show the car directly behind you. When a car is in the lane next to you, properly adjusted mirrors will allow you to see the car transition from the rearview mirror to the sideview mirror. If you can only see the car in your sideview mirror, they are next to you.
It takes some getting used to however if you give the new mirror arrangement time, you will find it is the better method. Hopefully my link will work if not, search "How to adjust your car mirrors to eliminate blind spots SAE". I don't tip my mirrors out quite as far as the video suggests but it is close. I use the same technique on all of my vehicles and do not get caught off guard by someone driving in my no longer blind spot. You still need to do a head check if you have two lanes on the side you're planning to merge towards. Someone can be trying to merge to the same lane as you are and it doesn't matter what type of mirror you have, they will be coming from outside your mirror's field of view.
Good luck!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0&&FORM=VRDGAR
It takes some getting used to however if you give the new mirror arrangement time, you will find it is the better method. Hopefully my link will work if not, search "How to adjust your car mirrors to eliminate blind spots SAE". I don't tip my mirrors out quite as far as the video suggests but it is close. I use the same technique on all of my vehicles and do not get caught off guard by someone driving in my no longer blind spot. You still need to do a head check if you have two lanes on the side you're planning to merge towards. Someone can be trying to merge to the same lane as you are and it doesn't matter what type of mirror you have, they will be coming from outside your mirror's field of view.
Good luck!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...0&&FORM=VRDGAR
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 26
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Another benefit of the 'SAE side view mirror' aiming method not already mentioned is that if a car is directly behind you with it's high beams on, you're only getting blinded by the center rear view mirror, which is easily dimmed. If you're getting blinded by high beams in your side view mirror adjusted per the mentioned method, that car is right off your flank, which is rare and easily remedied by speeding up or slowing down a little. Not much you can do about the car driving behind you on a one lane road with the high beams on.
I'm with the other believers in that method.. no blind spot, no turning your head to look over your shoulder (well, rarely needed), no high beam blinding from behind at night, and about a week to adjust to it then you wonder how you drove before you did it.
I'm with the other believers in that method.. no blind spot, no turning your head to look over your shoulder (well, rarely needed), no high beam blinding from behind at night, and about a week to adjust to it then you wonder how you drove before you did it.