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A safety tip on your driving mirrors...

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Post by Les_Vipers_rule Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:49 pm

Watching a recent episode of Motoring 2013 journalist Jim Kenzie in an editorial noted that the number one requested option for 2012 was "Blind Spot Avoidance" signals. WHAT!?!? He noted that we have had blind spot avoidance devices for years, side view mirrors.

The problem is that for all too many drivers we have been given incorrect advice in adjusting your side view mirrors. If I may?

Typically we were told to sit in the driver's seat and adjust starting with our left mirror it in until we can see the side of our car. Then repeat the same with the right mirror. This will give you a blind spot. It is also WRONG ADVICE! As Jim Kenzie said last season in explaining how to set up one's side view mirrors "When was the last time you were hit by the side of your car?" NEVER!

Ok, so here is a safety tip that is one of the easiest and most safe tips YOU may ever use.

1: Sit in your driver's seat at your normal position.

2: Lean your head, upper body out towards your side window, oh maybe 2-3-4 inches away from the side window.

3: Pull in your left side mirror in until you can now see the side of you car, adjust it for a level effect in terms of up and down too.

4: Now sit back to your normal position and you will now see that you will no longer see the side of your car, OH DON'T FREAK OUT! It's still there :)

5: Now move your head, upper body towards the centre console side of your drivers seat.

6: Pull in your right side mirror until you again see the side of your car, adjust up and down until you get a level view.

7: Sit back in your normal driving position and you will again no longer see the right side of your car. Again it's ok, it's still there, you just do not need to see it.

8: Adjust your rear view mirror to fill out the gap between the left and right mirrors.

By doing this you will no longer have a driver's blind spot EVER! You will no longer have to make the more dangerous shoulder check as you change lanes etc. You will as you drive now only have to glance from your normal forward vision to either side mirror as needed. If you follow these instructions you will find that while driving your rear mirror will pick up a car behind you. As the car may came to pass you its image will transfer from your rear mirror to your side mirror. As its image begins to leave the view of your side mirror your natural peripheral vision will now pick it up and you never had to twist over your shoulder or be surprised to not see this car approaching. Motorcyclists may especially really appreciate you setting up your mirrors this way as I bet all too many get run off the road or side swiped by car, truck drivers not seeing them properly as they make lane changes.

This is IMO one of the easiest and most safe tips one can learn and you will all thank me for informing you of it if you were never taught previously how to set up your mirrors. Those stupid gimmicky options of blind spot avoidance features on newer cars today waste your money and may take your mind off driving as they interfere and distract you with how you would normally drive your car. Save the money as on option on better stuff for you car or hey just keep that cash in your bank. Set up your mirrors as above and you have no blind spot to worry about. I read that "Young Drivers of Canada" driving school have taught their students this set up since its inception as a school. :cheers:

Hope my advice helps.


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Post by Honor Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:58 pm

Sounds good, I'll give it a shot.
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Post by Talon Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:19 pm

:stonk:
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Post by Tailhappy Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:35 pm

Been doing this for YEARS.

Works great, except for the odd motorcycle rider that actually LIKES to ride in my blindspot (they're a fair amount narrower than a car so they can still disappear), but if they do that they deserve to get run over. Stupid non-safe riders. :curses:

A safety tip on your driving mirrors... Rear-View-Mirror-adjustment
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Post by Les_Vipers_rule Thu Jan 10, 2013 11:26 pm

Excellent illustration tailhappy. :)
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Post by 1300ZUK Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:14 pm

i like to see the car/truck because i have to use my mirrors to back in and out of parking spots and also need to see my trailer when towing

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Post by Swerve Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:05 am

I learned not to point the side mirrors at the side of the car to avoid being blinded by sun reflections. However, I always head check as it is obviously safer and car interior mirrors can vibrate out of their original alignment.

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Post by Honor Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:59 am

I tried it. It definitely helps, but there is still a small blind spot so I'll still be turning my head when I change lanes.
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