To the IDIOT...

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by glhs837

Its not intutitive, nor, as you say, is it scientific. but most folks are taught how to adjust mirrors by driver ed, or by parents. and the way it is taught isn't the best way. Adjusting them so you can see your fenders in them leaves spaces where vehicles can be that you don't see unless you turn your head. More information is usually better.

Maybe you missed the spot where I said "Before changing lanes, I still do a head check", so we agree, changing lanes without looking is a bad idea.


Deekay, again, if you want to see the most area "behind you", this method works best. The description posted on how to do it was a bit odd, but I have seen it written that way. Because its hard to describe how to set them. Easiest is to put a vehicle in your blind spot, and adjust til its in your mirror. But most folks wont do that.

Dont be afraid to try new things.

Yeah.....you're right.

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by DEEKAYPEE8569

Any more, I TRY to follow at least one car length behind on "Three Notch Raceway";

That sounds like tailgating.

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I don't suppose you remember the days where cars didn’t even have a right mirror, and some didn’t even have left ones. A rearview mirror was it. People actually had to put some effort into driving and turn their heads to see what’s around them. I’m not saying learn as much as possible; but human nature is, the easier you try to make things the lazier people will get. I don’t care how perfectly you adjust your mirrors, you will still have blind spots. I am teaching my kid to drive right now and am beating into his brain to not trust what he claims he sees in his mirrors. I tell him ALWAYS turn your head to make sure nothing is there.

Yup

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by desertrat

How about three reasons?

Because they are harder to spot, more vulnerable and I may be the guy on one! We don't all ride like asses, just like all car drivers don't drive like asses.

I get that from every person I have this conversation with; even the ones that own sport bikes. If I observed what I was being told then I might agree with you, but my experience is different.

My opinion is, they are harder to spot primarily because they tend to ride in ways that are unsafe. I was rear ended by a biker because he was going too fast and too close and it was dark. Did $5,000 worth of damage to my car and landed himself in the hospital for 2 weeks.

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

That sounds like tailgating.

No....."tailgating" is when you can't see the front fascia of the car behind you.

[glhs837]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I don't suppose you remember the days where cars didn’t even have a right mirror, and some didn’t even have left ones. A rearview mirror was it. People actually had to put some effort into driving and turn their heads to see what’s around them. I’m not saying learn as much as possible; but human nature is, the easier you try to make things the lazier people will get. I don’t care how perfectly you adjust your mirrors, you will still have blind spots. I am teaching my kid to drive right now and am beating into his brain to not trust what he claims he sees in his mirrors. I tell him ALWAYS turn your head to make sure nothing is there.

Sure do, have one in the garage right now that never had a passenger mirror. I remember when cars didn't have ABS, nor ESP, and will teach my kids to drive without such aids. Properly used, they are tools, not crutches.

I am teaching mine not to make movements based solely on mirrors also, I never do myself. But to ignore a way to get more situational awareness with a simple change seems the silly thing to me.

And I'm here to tell you, no, you will not have a rear blind spot, you will have 360 degree awareness of the area around your car. I have been doing this for four months now, and am hyper aware of how it differs from "normal" adjustment. Before I make a lane change I check, but I now know before even looking whats there. My head turned look is verifying, not learning.

[Chasey_Lane]

Originally Posted by DEEKAYPEE8569

No.

I disagree.

[glhs837]

I think, Chasey, you are thinking about simply following too closely, which is speed based. I initially agreed with you, but Dee is right, "tailgating" is what she describes, usually considered to be less than 1 car length, I think. While following too closely could be 3 car lengths, given a 60mph speed.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by GWguy

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. Just factor this in: If you choose not to be so careful looking and there is an incident, you will regret it for the rest of your life, your fault or not.

I am always careful. That's why I am saying bikers aren't careful. I rarely go over about 5 mph of the speed limit (simply because doing the speed limit will get impatient pinheads fuming on your bumper) on the higheway, and always go the speed limit or slower through towns and rural areas. I always use my turn signal. I let people in when they need it. I do not play stupid games. What I am saying is that I am not more - or less - cautious just because there is a biker around. I expect them to behave just as responsibly as I do.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by DEEKAYPEE8569

No....."tailgating" is when you can't see the front fascia of the car behind you.

Tailgating is when you can't stop in time when the person in front of you slams on their brakes.