June 9, 2012: Better driver's side mirror

[ZenGum]

What V said. And Ali.

I have my mirrors adjusted so that I can *just* see the side of the car in the edge of the mirror - I like the reference point. I *know* there is a blind spot (okay, Bruce, a "quasi-blind" spot, for you) beside the back of my car, and I check it regularly and always before lane changes. I note and track vehicles approaching from the rear - if I see a motorbike back there, and a few moments later I can't see it, I know to actively LOOK to figure out where it is.

One time I was on a highway, two lanes each way, doing 100ks in the cruising lane, coming up behind a truck doing about 95, and with a 4WD coming up behind me at 110. I decided to let the 4WD pass me, and then pop out behind it and pass the truck. Just as the 4WD went past I popped on my indicator and flicked my head to check the blind spot before moving over ... thus catching a glimpse of the small sedan which was stuck right in behind the 4WD, previously hidden from view, and just entering the road space I was about to move into! I had *just* started to twitch the wheel but straightened in time, but I sure scared the heck out of both the other driver and myself.