"tflfb" <fuksatw@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:JlAkb.15$XD3.21164@news.uswest.net...
> Seen this article in the newspaper Saturday regarding adjusting your
mirrors
> on your car. To eliminate blind spots, what do ya think, anyone driveing
> like this?
>
> http://cartalk.cars.com/

I have been setting my side mirrors like this ever since I started driving.
Mainly, I drove like this because my Dad did it as well. I don't know why
he did it or who he learned it from, because this was well before the
article was written or even before the Internet was used en masse. Well, I
could not drive any other way now. I have over 10 years of multi long
trips, long distance highway commutes, and I have never been in a single
accident or sideswipe. I like this way so much that any car I am
considering purchasing must pass the "can the side mirrors angle out far
enough" test. This is a strict test, if the car won't pass it, I will not
buy it. I would highly recommend to use this technique. It is much safer,
much more efficient, and overall it really makes much more sense.

 

> :
> 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.

 

> :
> 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.

 

> :
> 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.

 

"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bn0pae$5jo@dispatch.concentric.net...
>
> "tflfb" <fuksatw@qwest.net> wrote in message
> news:JlAkb.15$XD3.21164@news.uswest.net...
> > Seen this article in the newspaper Saturday regarding adjusting your
> mirrors
> > on your car. To eliminate blind spots, what do ya think, anyone driveing
> > like this?
> >
> > http://cartalk.cars.com/
>
> I have been setting my side mirrors like this ever since I started
driving.

Same with me, been doing it for almost 20 years (and I'm only 35). I didn't
learn it from my Dad, though (he doesn't even wear seatbelts!). I read it
in Car&Driver or MotorTrend back in the early 80s and thought it made pretty
good sense then (I was big into car magazines as a teenager).

 

"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bn0pae$5jo@dispatch.concentric.net...
>
> "tflfb" <fuksatw@qwest.net> wrote in message
> news:JlAkb.15$XD3.21164@news.uswest.net...
> > Seen this article in the newspaper Saturday regarding adjusting your
> mirrors
> > on your car. To eliminate blind spots, what do ya think, anyone driveing
> > like this?
> >
> > http://cartalk.cars.com/
>
> I have been setting my side mirrors like this ever since I started
driving.

Same with me, been doing it for almost 20 years (and I'm only 35). I didn't
learn it from my Dad, though (he doesn't even wear seatbelts!). I read it
in Car&Driver or MotorTrend back in the early 80s and thought it made pretty
good sense then (I was big into car magazines as a teenager).

 

"Duran" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bn0pae$5jo@dispatch.concentric.net...
>
> "tflfb" <fuksatw@qwest.net> wrote in message
> news:JlAkb.15$XD3.21164@news.uswest.net...
> > Seen this article in the newspaper Saturday regarding adjusting your
> mirrors
> > on your car. To eliminate blind spots, what do ya think, anyone driveing
> > like this?
> >
> > http://cartalk.cars.com/
>
> I have been setting my side mirrors like this ever since I started
driving.

Same with me, been doing it for almost 20 years (and I'm only 35). I didn't
learn it from my Dad, though (he doesn't even wear seatbelts!). I read it
in Car&Driver or MotorTrend back in the early 80s and thought it made pretty
good sense then (I was big into car magazines as a teenager).

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

"TL" <tlehman@visi.com> wrote in message
news6papv8f55fp6u3gii3t982fjdc8ffh3n5@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

 

"TL" <tlehman@visi.com> wrote in message
news6papv8f55fp6u3gii3t982fjdc8ffh3n5@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