Mirror positions

[joshd963]

since beginning biking i can't bring myself to change lane without a lifesaver

[WhoseGeneration]

I'm of the wide view mirrors opinion plus a lifesaver, to either side, depending upon circumstance.

[supersport]

I thought I had read/heard somewhere that the lifesaver for cars is no longer taught, as it involves taking your eyes off the road. The modern approach is to lean forward to adjust the angle of view in the wing mirror.

Personally I use the lifesaver, the eyes are only off the road momentarily and when combined with good/constant observation you generally know the position of other cars. Particularly heavy traffice, especially in the dark makes the lifesaver a key technique.

[MC Bodge]

supersport said:

The modern approach is to lean forward to adjust the angle of view in the wing mirror.

No, the modern approach appears also to dispense with the use of mirrors (In all fairness, talking on a hand-held mobile phone does require some attention, so something has to give).

There is a(n optional) switching on of the indicator if the steering hand happens to pass the indicator stalk.

The vehicles behind are then required to avoid a collision.

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 8th December 11:11

[supersport]

MC Bodge said:

...

There is a(n optional) switching on of the indicator if the steering hand happens to pass the indicator stalk.
...

rendering the optional indicator flash to occur pretty much after the manoeuvre is complete.

[jconrad]

BliarOut said:

The biker in me won't let me change lanes without a lifesaver even when I'm in a car

I find this too!

[Mr Grayson]

I must be a closet biker - I always do shoulder checks, even though I've never ridden a bike. Bikers - you're not the only ones!

[motco]

MatthewO said:

I use my near side mirror in the illustrated position, I drive for a long time on dual carriageways and I use that position of the mirror to easily see when ive passed another vehicle, it makes driving in heavy traffic much smoother and.. Well... Lazier.

I would do the same with my driver's side, but it won't adjust that far!

Exactly that! I have always moved my door mirrors out so that I cannot see the side of my car (I can by leaning over a bit) but I know, because I set them, that there is no gap between my interior mirror and external mirrors into which a vehicle, even a bike, can disappear. To see the side of your car may be reassuring but it wastes viewing area.