Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.

One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
even if you are focusing on them. I used to have these types of
mirrors on a MG years ago and they work really well. (And you can use
flat mirrors on both sides giving you better depth reading than convex
mirrors. Some people did put convex mirrors out on the fenders to
really provide a broad view, though.)

Why are they gone? Some guesses. Adjustable mirrors initially required
physical connections which would have been complicated to do on the
fender (not an issue with power, of course). Second, it was much more
affected by changing styles than the mirrors mounted on the doors. Not
sure why else.



On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 11:04:53 -0400, MikeHunt2@mailcity.com wrote:

>The technique they teach in advanced driver training schools,
>like those for police officers, is to monitor your mirrors at ALL
>times. In other words you should KNOW what is behind you and
>aside of you at ALL times so you can act immediately in a
>situation WITHOUT the need to first check you mirrors. Another
>is to look as far down the road as you can see, rather than at
>the traffic just ahead. Once you get used to doing that you will
>find your are reacting to situations by slowing and braking well
>before some drivers in front are reacting.
>
>
>
>mike hunt
>
>
>
>Duran wrote:
>>
>> > :
>> > No way. When I was 15, my father taught me never to trust my mirrors and
>> > always to turn my head and look before changing lanes. It's always worked
>> > for me -- not gonna stop now.
>>
>> That's how almost everyone else was taught too. As I said in an above post,
>> I have driven with my side mirrors angled out ever since I started driving.
>> I also do not shoulder check at all, there is no need.
>>
>> You may be singing a different tune if either one of two things happens to
>> you:
>>
>> 1) Someone in front of you on the highway decides to slam on their brakes a
>> split-second after you decide to look backwards going 70+ MPH (IE, trying to
>> pass them). You get a big surprise when you start looking forward again.
>> With the technique mentioned, you never have to take your eyes off of the
>> road in front of you, this is much safer. While moving your eyes to either
>> side mirror (which can be done a lot faster than the fastest of shoulder
>> checks), your peripheral vision will still allow you to notice brake lights,
>> speed differences, objects in roadway, etc.
>>
>> 2) In any kind of emergency situation in which a lane change would be the
>> only way to avoid an accident, you will either have to shift lanes quickly
>> without shoulder checking and pray no one is in that lane, or you will have
>> to hit whatever is in front of you. In a lot of situations, you won't have
>> time to do both. Shoulder checking takes way to long.

Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.

One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
even if you are focusing on them. I used to have these types of
mirrors on a MG years ago and they work really well. (And you can use
flat mirrors on both sides giving you better depth reading than convex
mirrors. Some people did put convex mirrors out on the fenders to
really provide a broad view, though.)

Why are they gone? Some guesses. Adjustable mirrors initially required
physical connections which would have been complicated to do on the
fender (not an issue with power, of course). Second, it was much more
affected by changing styles than the mirrors mounted on the doors. Not
sure why else.



On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 11:04:53 -0400, MikeHunt2@mailcity.com wrote:

>The technique they teach in advanced driver training schools,
>like those for police officers, is to monitor your mirrors at ALL
>times. In other words you should KNOW what is behind you and
>aside of you at ALL times so you can act immediately in a
>situation WITHOUT the need to first check you mirrors. Another
>is to look as far down the road as you can see, rather than at
>the traffic just ahead. Once you get used to doing that you will
>find your are reacting to situations by slowing and braking well
>before some drivers in front are reacting.
>
>
>
>mike hunt
>
>
>
>Duran wrote:
>>
>> > :
>> > No way. When I was 15, my father taught me never to trust my mirrors and
>> > always to turn my head and look before changing lanes. It's always worked
>> > for me -- not gonna stop now.
>>
>> That's how almost everyone else was taught too. As I said in an above post,
>> I have driven with my side mirrors angled out ever since I started driving.
>> I also do not shoulder check at all, there is no need.
>>
>> You may be singing a different tune if either one of two things happens to
>> you:
>>
>> 1) Someone in front of you on the highway decides to slam on their brakes a
>> split-second after you decide to look backwards going 70+ MPH (IE, trying to
>> pass them). You get a big surprise when you start looking forward again.
>> With the technique mentioned, you never have to take your eyes off of the
>> road in front of you, this is much safer. While moving your eyes to either
>> side mirror (which can be done a lot faster than the fastest of shoulder
>> checks), your peripheral vision will still allow you to notice brake lights,
>> speed differences, objects in roadway, etc.
>>
>> 2) In any kind of emergency situation in which a lane change would be the
>> only way to avoid an accident, you will either have to shift lanes quickly
>> without shoulder checking and pray no one is in that lane, or you will have
>> to hit whatever is in front of you. In a lot of situations, you won't have
>> time to do both. Shoulder checking takes way to long.

Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.

One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
even if you are focusing on them. I used to have these types of
mirrors on a MG years ago and they work really well. (And you can use
flat mirrors on both sides giving you better depth reading than convex
mirrors. Some people did put convex mirrors out on the fenders to
really provide a broad view, though.)

Why are they gone? Some guesses. Adjustable mirrors initially required
physical connections which would have been complicated to do on the
fender (not an issue with power, of course). Second, it was much more
affected by changing styles than the mirrors mounted on the doors. Not
sure why else.



On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 11:04:53 -0400, MikeHunt2@mailcity.com wrote:

>The technique they teach in advanced driver training schools,
>like those for police officers, is to monitor your mirrors at ALL
>times. In other words you should KNOW what is behind you and
>aside of you at ALL times so you can act immediately in a
>situation WITHOUT the need to first check you mirrors. Another
>is to look as far down the road as you can see, rather than at
>the traffic just ahead. Once you get used to doing that you will
>find your are reacting to situations by slowing and braking well
>before some drivers in front are reacting.
>
>
>
>mike hunt
>
>
>
>Duran wrote:
>>
>> > :
>> > No way. When I was 15, my father taught me never to trust my mirrors and
>> > always to turn my head and look before changing lanes. It's always worked
>> > for me -- not gonna stop now.
>>
>> That's how almost everyone else was taught too. As I said in an above post,
>> I have driven with my side mirrors angled out ever since I started driving.
>> I also do not shoulder check at all, there is no need.
>>
>> You may be singing a different tune if either one of two things happens to
>> you:
>>
>> 1) Someone in front of you on the highway decides to slam on their brakes a
>> split-second after you decide to look backwards going 70+ MPH (IE, trying to
>> pass them). You get a big surprise when you start looking forward again.
>> With the technique mentioned, you never have to take your eyes off of the
>> road in front of you, this is much safer. While moving your eyes to either
>> side mirror (which can be done a lot faster than the fastest of shoulder
>> checks), your peripheral vision will still allow you to notice brake lights,
>> speed differences, objects in roadway, etc.
>>
>> 2) In any kind of emergency situation in which a lane change would be the
>> only way to avoid an accident, you will either have to shift lanes quickly
>> without shoulder checking and pray no one is in that lane, or you will have
>> to hit whatever is in front of you. In a lot of situations, you won't have
>> time to do both. Shoulder checking takes way to long.

Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

"TL" <tlehman@visi.com> wrote in message
news:p6papv8f55fp6u3gii3t982fjdc8ffh3n5@4ax.com...
> This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
> check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.
>
> One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
> far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
> eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
> mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
> even if you are focusing on them.

My tractor that I drive has mirrors mounted on it's fenders, makes quite the
difference when you have the extra view planes. As you say, you see what's
going on around you without having to turn your head. Makes life that much
easier/safer. Especially when you've got seven mirrors to work with. Keep
your eyes moving and you'll not miss a thing.

--
Brian
www.accesswave.ca/~orion

Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

"TL" <tlehman@visi.com> wrote in message
news:p6papv8f55fp6u3gii3t982fjdc8ffh3n5@4ax.com...
> This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
> check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.
>
> One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
> far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
> eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
> mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
> even if you are focusing on them.

My tractor that I drive has mirrors mounted on it's fenders, makes quite the
difference when you have the extra view planes. As you say, you see what's
going on around you without having to turn your head. Makes life that much
easier/safer. Especially when you've got seven mirrors to work with. Keep
your eyes moving and you'll not miss a thing.

--
Brian
www.accesswave.ca/~orion

Re: Click and Clack ( mirror adjustment )
 

"TL" <tlehman@visi.com> wrote in message
news:p6papv8f55fp6u3gii3t982fjdc8ffh3n5@4ax.com...
> This is absolutely true. In an emergency there's not any time to even
> check mirrors much less look over your shoulder.
>
> One point of notice is that race cars generally mount their mirrors
> far out on the fenders. This accomplishes two things. First it all but
> eliminates blind spots on the sides. Second, you literally can see the
> mirrors while you are looking forward. You see movement in the mirrors
> even if you are focusing on them.

My tractor that I drive has mirrors mounted on it's fenders, makes quite the
difference when you have the extra view planes. As you say, you see what's
going on around you without having to turn your head. Makes life that much
easier/safer. Especially when you've got seven mirrors to work with. Keep
your eyes moving and you'll not miss a thing.

--
Brian
www.accesswave.ca/~orion