Should Cameras Be Allowed to Replace Mirrors? - Gov't Wants Your Feedback

[Snax]

Fascinating range of opinions on this thread.

I am in favor of allowing video. Most people don't know how to properly adjust a mirror anyway; putting the side of the car in half the view and creating huge blind spots. Video, when properly setup could be configured to eliminate that issue entirely, as drivers would not need to adjust position due to different seating positions.

I have removed my exterior mirrors (legal in Oregon) and installed blindspot mirrors inside each door that provide adequate coverage to the sides, but more importantly, the panoramic mirror I installed in the center completely eliminates all blindspots (save for low curb angle stuff) in conjunction with them for driving forward. The backup camera in my bumper makes backing stress free (especially with tinted windows). Replacing those blindspot mirrors would give me an even more complete view, but I could honestly safely get by with just the center panoramic except for backing.

Once you get used to the distortion, estimating distance becomes natural and not an impediment.

[freebeard]

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/131241...-1/s-l1000.jpg

I have one of these. I've moved it from car to car since the 1980s. They're flat mirrors so there is no distortion.

[Snax]

I've had a couple of those and love them. Better IMHO than OEM mirrors by far. Sadly, not really an option in the i3, which is my daily.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I have one of these. I've moved it from car to car since the 1980s. They're flat mirrors so there is no distortion.

I've had three types of similar mirrors, but they were the bowed kind, not segmented.

The approx. 16" wide one I bought at a Porsche swap meet was the best (no distortion, and heavy), but I cracked the mirror when re-gluing it.

The blue one below I bought for my wife and an elderly friend, they both love it.

K-Source Panoramic Aspheric Rearview Mirror - 13"
https://www.etrailer.com/question-134756.html


The blue color eases eye strain at sunset and sunrise plus deals with bright headlights behind you well.

The one I got for my S-10 as a replacement for the Porsche swap meet one was much wider than the distortion free blue one and has massive distortion, but after a month or two you just get used to everything looking squashed.

Used in conjunction with little round stick on convex mirrors on the outside mirrors and situational awareness is 10X's what it used to be.

Originally Posted by Snax

Video, when properly setup could be configured to eliminate that issue entirely, as drivers would not need to adjust position due to different seating positions.

I agree, it is amazing how lazy some drivers can be, anything to make it more idiot proof makes everyone on the road safer.

These systems will have to be smart - for dumb people too lazy to configure them. I'm imagining an eye reading system similar to those used for sleepy drivers - not yet perfected of course.

[freebeard]

Sadly, not really an option in the i3, which is my daily.

You have the wheels and tires I want for my 1958 Beetle.

The 5-panel mirror lines up with the sun visor mounts in a Beetle/Type III. There existed a 3-panel version.


https://www.jbugs.com/product/4580.html
"$20.95, as low as $0.97/month"

They have 4 and 3-panel mirrors, but only in billet aluminum for ~$250.

No pictures, but my 1961 Panel Van had a chrome pyramidal flat inside mirror, so I got two chrome pyramidal convex mirrors for the outside and welded nuts onto the ends of the mirror arms. IIRC 3x5 with rounded corners (the inside mirror had square corners.

They matched pretty well and the convex part worked well with the restricted view out the [small] back window.

[AlaricD]

Originally Posted by kach22i

The blue color eases eye strain at sunset and sunrise plus deals with bright headlights behind you well.

Ugh. Blue is hard to focus on, and when using mesopic vision it's the worst.

As far as the cameras-- you have to look at a screen instead of a mirror. This means constant focus changes from infinity (things 20+ feet away) to 2-3ft away (the screen). Extremely fatiguing. Mirrors are much less straining on the eyes than screens.

Another factor is the latency in the camera system-- time difference between what the camera sees and what is displayed on the screen.

[PaulB2]

I'm still wondering why there *is* an NHTSA.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by PaulB2

I'm still wondering why there *is* an NHTSA.

Mostly to secure a market reserve for the Big Three to keep dumping gas-guzzlers instead of developing something more fuel-efficient. Safety becomes just an excuse, even though a half-tonner may not be really so safer than some European equivalent to a soccer-mom van.

[Grant-53]

Cameras and radar are being used to establish the 360 degree zone of awareness. US standards are lagging behind. The lack of outside mirrors also is being considered for reducing drag. My question is what to do if a camera fails?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

Cameras and radar are being used to establish the 360 degree zone of awareness. US standards are lagging behind. The lack of outside mirrors also is being considered for reducing drag. My question is what to do if a camera fails?

My recommendation is to utilize one's neck. Might be tricky for parallel parking for some, but you can get used to it.

I don't know why mirrors are even a law; I've never needed them. I do use them constantly for situational awareness, but as far as avoiding an accident while lane changing, they aren't necessary.