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During my days running union meetings, there was a thing called “for the good and welfare of the members”. Today’s post is about the good and welfare of HumbleDrivers.
In the past few weeks, two of my retired friends have complained that the ‘blind spot’ warning device on their new cars was useless. Both said that the yellow warning light on their side view mirror did not illuminate until a vehicle was approximately at their rear bumper.
I’m going to tell you why I don’t agree with them, and why I think this ‘good and welfare’ post is relevant to HumbleDollar.
The area between the rear bumper and a car’s passenger door is the blind spot on every vehicle that I have ever driven. Therefore, if the warning light comes on when traffic is occupying that area, it is working as it should. A problem arises when the side view mirrors are not properly adjusted. The following was lifted directly from the internet, because I could not have written it better..
“The most effective way to adjust your side-view mirrors is a method often recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Unlike the traditional method where you see the side of your own car, this setup pushes the mirrors outward to significantly reduce—and often eliminate—your blind spots.
The Blind Spot Elimination (BSE) Method
Adjust the Rearview Mirror first: Set your center rearview mirror as you normally would, so it frames the entire rear window.
Adjust the Driver’s Side Mirror: Lean your head to the left until it almost touches the driver’s side window. From that position, adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the rear corner of your car. When you sit back up straight, you should no longer see the side of your car at all.
Adjust the Passenger’s Side Mirror: Lean your head to the right toward the center of the vehicle (roughly over the center console). Adjust the passenger mirror so you can just barely see the rear corner of that side. Again, when you return to your normal driving position, the side of your car should be out of view.”
That our driving skills weaken as we age is not news to anyone. Blind Spot Warning and properly adjusted mirrors help keep us accident free. Putting aside the cost of physical injury and property damage, this is important because the older we get, the more likely an ‘at fault’ accident will be followed by a dreaded ‘non renewal letter’ from our insurer. Following such a notice, it will cost significantly more to buy car insurance, and may even put an end to our days as drivers.
I’m thinking of a Midas commercial from 1972, when the good looking driver of a Corvette screamed at an old guy in a ‘63 Ford; “your muffler, fix it”.
Today’s message is; your mirrors, ADJUST THEM!
Great advice, Dan. With mirrors adjusted properly, there should never be a “blind spot”. As a long term car guy, I take my driving skills more seriously than most. Despite the expense, I take a high performance driving school every 3 to 5 years. Besides being fun, they keep me in tune. At 81, that’s important.
I’ll also put in a plug for “situational awareness” while driving. Yes, the most important situation is the one in front of you, but don’t neglect to constantly check all three mirrors. When my foot moves towards the brake pedal, my eyes immediately check out the rearview to see if everyone is going to slow or stop with me.
Or as my father taught me, “Assume the other person is going to do the idiotic move. You’ll never be disappointed.”
Thanks for the education. My wife and I plan to try the new mirror adjustment.
We had a good and welfare at the end of all of our fraternity’s meetings.
I may try this method, but historically I’ve used my ability to see a portion of my car in the sideview as a feature, not a bug. My ability to see my car helps me understand where the other car is in relation to me. If I can’t see my car, I just see some other car with no context. I’m not sure this will be better for me or not, but I may experiment.