Ever been in a near-miss crash because you didn’t see a vehicle behind you? If so, the reason for the poor visibility can likely be attributed to the blind spot. The fact is, the side mirrors and rearview mirrors can only show you so much about what is surrounding the back of your vehicle, which means an accident is possible when you can’t necessarily turn around and look for yourself.
Blind spot mirrors are small extra side mirrors that you can add to your vehicle to hopefully get you better visibility. Do blind spot mirrors actually help? Where is the best place to put blind spot mirrors? Check out the details every car driver should know below.
What Is a Blind Spot Exactly? A Closer Look
A blind spot is a spot that exists on either side of most standard vehicles where your side mirrors or rearview do not allow you to see what’s in the area. The actual blind spot can vary in location depending on the vehicle’s overall design, shape, and size. And a driver’s blind spot can differ depending on the height and position of the driver. In general, there will be spots the driver cannot see without turning their body fully around.
How Adding Blind Spot Mirrors Can Help
Aftermarket blind spot mirrors are simplistic in design but highly effective. The mirrors are generally small and have a steeper curve than standard ones, allowing for a wider view when you peer into the mirror. The small mirrors attach to conventional side mirrors, but they must be placed precisely to best combat problems with blind-spot visibility.
Unfortunately, accidents caused by blind spots are very common. The limited visibility at the rear of the vehicle can lead to collisions with other vehicles when making lane changes or turns, but it can also be a significant factor in backover crashes.
According to Consumer Reports, around 18,000 individuals are injured, and 300 are killed every year in backover crashes. It has become a trend in the automotive industry for some auto manufacturers to outfit vehicles with blind spot monitoring equipment and integrated side and rearview cameras for this reason. However, most standard trim packages don’t have these extras, and classic cars are not equipped either. Therefore, blind spot mirrors can be a good investment in safety.
Best Location for Blindspot Mirrors
The placement of blind spot mirrors determines their overall effectiveness after installation, and it can take a little experimentation to find the proper placement. On most types of vehicles, the blind spot mirrors should be attached to the outer upper corner of the existing side view mirrors. However, because all mirrors, cars, and drivers are different, you may have to experiment just a bit to ensure the mirror is in the correct spot. For example, the placement may be totally different if you are driving a small car compared to what it should be if you are driving a larger pickup truck or SUV.
Blind spot mirrors are small and inexpensive. There are also different models that are available at the local auto parts store. Most are simply small round mirrors that are just a few inches in diameter. Usually, they have a peel-and-stick backing that is preloaded with adhesive. However, you can also usually move the mirror around to find the right position as long as you don’t press the mirror firmly into place and wait a long time between repositioning.
A few tips to help you get the blind spot mirrors in the right place include:
- Sit in your vehicle and adjust the side view mirrors to the appropriate position.
- Install the blind spot mirror on the left, and make sure you get a wider view of what you usually cannot see with the mirror.
- Install the other blind spot mirror on the right and make any necessary adjustments for the broadest view.
Another note to remember, you may gain more benefit and visibility from a blind spot mirror on the driver’s side than on the passenger’s side. This is normal because many side view mirrors on the passenger side of a vehicle have more of a convex shape to help with blind-spot visibility.
Blind Spot Mirrors – An Inexpensive Safety Addition for Your Vehicle
Without question, investing in small blind spot mirrors is well worth the effort of installation and the money. These little aftermarket parts are often just a few bucks each, go in place easy, but offer that added layer of visibility to keep you and others safe while you’re behind the wheel. Be sure to grab yourself a pair of blind spot mirrors at your local auto parts and supplies store.
