Blind Spots are a Myth

[betasniper]

There are no such things as blind spots, just badly adjusted mirrors.


(img from Car & Driver, modified by me)

The Red lines are how most people have their cars set up. The "side view" mirrors then only show barely any more information than the center rear view mirror. The Cyan lines are set up based on this 1995 SAE paper by a person named George Platzer. When the mirrors are Platzer-ized, they form one big mirror with information spread out with minimal overlap between mirrors. The Red Car which is in the traditional "blind spot" would be perfectly visible in the "new" setup. When the Red car is starting to leave the side view mirror, it enters the drivers actual field of vision forward from the B pillar.

The image could use a bit more overlap to eliminate the very small blind spot while still expanding awareness of the ex-blind spot.

[nemo]

I have had my mirrors adjusted like figure 1 and 4 for some time now, It did take some time to get accustom to.The only advantage to the traditional setup is in backing where you want to see the sides of the car, my blind spot mirrors take care of that.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by betasniper

[CENTER]T The Red Car which is in the traditional "blind spot" would be perfectly visible in the "new" setup. When the Red car is starting to leave the side view mirror, it enters the drivers actual field of vision forward from the B pillar.

On the other hand, when you are driving at night, the red car will have his high beams on (as will the others), leading to a 360 degree blind spot.

[Daox]

Where do you drive that people behind you use their high beams? Nobody does that here.

[bestclimb]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

On the other hand, when you are driving at night, the red car will have his high beams on (as will the others), leading to a 360 degree blind spot.

This is far less of an issue than you might think. Point them down a bit. The most obnoxious lights are from trucks (In my AO anyway) and that pretty much solves it.

[Ryland]

Easy quick way to adjust the mirror for Fig #1 is to tilt your head till it touches the drivers window and adjust the mirror so you can see the side of the car, then when you sit normally your view is perfect, I've had my mirrors adjusted like this for years.
For backing up I don't use the mirrors much, I just turn and look back, both in my car and with backing vehicles with trailers.

[gone-ot]

...oh, I don't know, seemingly a cell phone makes a pretty effective 360-degree 'blind-spot' enbler for most vehicle drivers.

[user removed]

My Fiesta has convex mirrors on the top outside corner of the regular mirrors. Once you get used to them to the point where you can trust them they work great for picking up vehicles in the normal "blind spot". They also work especially well to prevent the potential of two vehicles merging into the same lane on a three lane (each way) highway.

I have used the lean your head to see the side of your car method for decades.

regards
Mech

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Daox

Where do you drive that people behind you use their high beams? Nobody does that here.

Northern Nevada, mostly, but I think it's pretty much the same everywhere. A lot of newer SUVs & pickups don't even HAVE low beams any more, just high and higher, because they have two sets of headlights, one at normal level, and one 5-6 ft off the ground. Then there are the cars fitted with high-intensity lamps...

[Cobb]

What are side mirrors?!?!?!

I use a lane changer on my rear view one that lets me see from my left shoulder to the right front seat head rest. I just got to turn the rap crap down to see a clear image, then once moved, changed lanes, etc I TURN IT UP.