How to Minimize Blind Spots
Many people believe that the best way to eliminate blind spots is to adjust the left and right side mirrors as far outward or downward as possible. Additionally, studies show that-perhaps out of a desire to check their appearance or vanity-many drivers adjust the interior rearview mirror so that it reflects themselves; these are all incorrect practices.
Under normal conditions, a driver can see a field of view of approximately 200 degrees ahead without turning their head (moving only their eyes); in other words, there is a remaining 160-degree arc that is not directly visible. Expecting three small mirrors to cover this remaining 160 degrees is simply asking too much of them; in reality, the left and right side mirrors combined with the interior rearview mirror provide only about 60 degrees of additional visibility. So, how do we handle the remaining 100 degrees?
When driving, one must be fully alert to the surroundings-focusing on the traffic ahead while using peripheral vision and the rearview mirrors to monitor the sides and rear of the vehicle. Only by synthesizing information from all directions can driving safety be ensured. While observing the situation ahead is relatively easy, monitoring the sides and rear requires the use of the vehicle's mirrors.
1. Mirrors should be installed on the left and right sides as well as inside the vehicle, with their positions and angles adjusted to suit the specific vehicle model.
2. Before moving off, the driver must use the mirrors to check for approaching traffic from the sides and rear. This allows for quick, accurate judgment and appropriate action; moving off blindly could lead to collisions or sideswiping incidents.
3. When driving on multi-lane roads involving frequent lane changes, it is crucial to constantly monitor side and rear traffic via the mirrors; do not change lanes if a vehicle is approaching from behind. If a vehicle is currently overtaking you from the side or rear, do not attempt to overtake the vehicle in front of you at that moment.