Rear View Mirror Violation IN 9-19-12-1 (for Kammback addition on sedan) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

vacationtime247 · 03-14-2012, 08:50 AM

Sure, the duct tape Kammback isn't pretty. Always had people stopping, stairing and even taking pics. But pulled over? Yea, knew it would happen sooner or later.

So here's how the story goes. Went to work for a 'Mandatory Nursing Meeting'. Oh fun : / Left work and passed a couple cops sitting in a parking lot. Cruising through town doing my leisurely 28 mph. Looked in my side mirror and noticed I was being pulled over. Shut the car off and coasted to a vacant parking lot. Kept my hands on the steering wheel.
Cop, 'License and registration' ... 'Can I ask what the purpose of this here in the back is for?'
Me, '7% increase in fuel mileage'
Cop, 'Really?' almost seemed stunned...or impressed not sure. He went on to explain the reason for pulling me over. The driver must be able to see out the rear window and the police must be able to see in. Being that it's a passenger vehicle. He only gave me a warning. Gave me props for creativity and even understood why I was doing it. Didn't want to be a jerk or make a scene, so I graciously accepted the warning without a hassle. Went ahead and took the Kammback off. Winter had made it begin to sag and look bad. Next version will be a metal kammback with a small open space to see through on the back. Borderline legal, but should get me by. Here's the violation, Rear view mirror violation, IN 9-19-12-1
VT247

moorecomp · 03-14-2012, 10:23 AM

"The driver must be able to see out the rear window and the police must be able to see in. IN 9-19-12-1 VT247"

From the law in question,

IC 9-19-12
Chapter 12. Rear View Mirrors
IC 9-19-12-1
Safety requirements
Sec. 1. A motor vehicle that is constructed or loaded so as to
obstruct the driver's view to the rear from the driver's position must
be equipped with a mirror located so as to reflect to the driver a view
of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the
rear of the vehicle.

kach22i · 03-14-2012, 10:35 AM

I wonder if having a person sit in the middle of the back seat would gain the same attention. I swear you can't see a thing behind you that way.

Ticket for having a big head?

Might not this design look best with a clear rear infill?

I think it would. A bead of clear sealant would hold the acrylic sheet in, but I would weep and vent it a little to avoid condensation build-up and possible suck out of the rear panel.

Diesel_Dave · 03-14-2012, 10:51 AM

Glad you only got a warning, but I don't see where you're in violation of the law:

Quote:

A motor vehicle that is constructed or loaded so as to
obstruct the driver's view to the rear from the driver's position must
be equipped with a mirror located so as to reflect to the driver a view
of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the
rear of the vehicle.

Using your side mirrors you can see in back of you. So each side mirrors is "a mirror located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the vehicle." If you couldn't obsruct the view out the rear window then most pickups hauling anything would be in violation.

I'm not saying you don't want to make Version2 with a window if you can, but you're not in violation of the law you were given a warning for.

MetroMPG · 03-14-2012, 11:52 AM

I agree with Diesel Dave. No violation there.

I'm sure the cop could have found another (valid) violation if he'd really wanted to, though!

Piwoslaw · 03-14-2012, 12:16 PM

Here the law says that a vehicle must have and internal mirror and one on the driver's side. If the internal is obstructed, then there must be a mirror on the passenger side.

I don't see (pun!) why the cop should be able to look inside through the rear window when he can see through the side windows? If your rear glass was heavily tinted (pimp-style

) then what?

Frank Lee · 03-14-2012, 05:13 PM

Eh hole cop was wrong. Ooooh, big favor, only a warning!!!

He would have wasted his time in court, losing.

ps2fixer · 03-14-2012, 08:20 PM

He probably only pulled you over to go WTF is that thing, or to get a recording of it with the on car cam to show his buddies this "joke".

According to the law quoted above, I would say you could put it right back on, drive by the same cop, and if he pulls you over again, request him to read the law in question to you and then point out your two side mirrors, and the fact is says nothing about seeing into a car....

I agree with the others though, making the back part clear might save headaches. Another pointer would be to try to color match the car a little, just sow it don't stand out as bad.

kach22i · 03-14-2012, 10:58 PM

You got pulled over for the same reason I got pulled over on my hovercraft on a lake a few years ago. The cop just wanted a better look and was curious.

Sven7 · 03-14-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i

You got pulled over for the same reason I got pulled over on my hovercraft on a lake a few years ago. The cop just wanted a better look and was curious.

LOL they can pull you over on water?

X2 on no violation, and X2 on painting it body color. I say make the vertical rear panel out of acrylic and paint black "windows" onto the sides so it looks like a wagon. People won't even realize it's a Kammback!