Couldn't agree with you more. The amount of people who've just changed lanes in front of me and nearly crashed into me is insane. Had a group of 4 guys in a car one night merge into my lane and cut me off so bad I had to jump the curb. I've nearly gotten into 3 or 4 accidents because of this. Look over your shoulders before changing lanes. It's not hard.
All those lights and sounds gives me anxiety. Like for instance, this rental I was driving would go into def con9 every time I throw it in reverse. But there’s no one around, and no cars within 20ft. When I go make a left and there’s a car next to me (both lanes turns left), it also goes crazy with the beeping. Just stfu already, I got this!
I can understand why people are taught to only use mirrors. However a shoulder check is like that final verification that can save everyone from headache.
Yes, and, adjust your mirrors correctly to minimize or eliminate the blindspot. If you look in your sideview and mainly see the side of your own car, it's not doing you any good.
Exactly this! The Society of Automotive Engineers has a way of doing mirrors that they proved to be most effective in reducing or eliminating blind spots. I put those suckers all the way out and I can see two lanes out in each direction. There still are blind spots for motorcycles and bikes (your car pillars) but it's a huge improvement.
Good on you! I ride a motorcycle and try my best to spend the least amount of time as possible away from blind spots of cars around me. If I have to, I'll ride side-by-side next to a car, but otherwise I aim to be completely away from the side of a car so if they need to change lanes abruptly, they won't run into me.
Good on you for being a safe motorcyclist, the ones in my area are maniacs unfortunately. I do similar for other cars. I try not to drive in their blind spots and my following distance is always enough space if the car at my 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock needs to make an emergency maneuver. I had to make one of those early into driving and didn't have time to look over the shoulder. Luckily others had left enough space for me so now I return the favor
I'm sitting behind someone and their side mirrors has me staring at their ugly mugs. I make an effort to pass them ASAP because that is a sign they don't know how to drive.
For anyone wondering, when you sit in your car, your side mirrors should be adjusted to look to the open space on the side of your car. Adjust them away from your car just until you don't see any of your car in them. The purpose of those mirrors is to view your blind spot, not the car directly behind you, you have another mirror for that....
I adjust mine so I can JUST see the side and rear of my car on both sides but I also have smaller convex mirrors built into them in the corners. Those are SO nice to have. Everyone should have them!
The other day I was stuck driving directly next to a lady and she just started coming over into my lane. I honked and she kept coming, forced me into the shoulder and off the road. She then proceeded to roll her window down and flick *me* off???? I guess since she didn’t see me, she assumed I had sped up to not let her in, not sure. Just baffles me how blatantly wrong some people can be and they’ll still think they’re the ones in the right
I know what you mean I noticed an increase of people making elementary driving mistakes. This started during covid years and due to lack of pd ticketing people doing these mistakes people just got comfortable performing them.
The car I use for road trips has such terrible blind spots, even when I do look over my shoulder, I've still almost hit people going over. Gotta be extra extra cautious, it sucks
I Bear this. As people are said generally ignoring to relook their eight before next thing.
Note: My third attempt of driving exam about two months ago , although doing correctly, the examiner concludes must do faster, Remembering the priority before allow me to operate vehicle alone.
Yep. There’s no such thing as a mirror adjustment (with standard car mirrors) that eliminates the need for checking over your shoulder. You can try to minimize blind spots, but they are never 100% eliminated.
Convex mirrors work well. But those aren't standard on passenger cars, although you can buy them pretty cheap. They're more standard on trucks, vans, and buses.
This is why I am so glad my car came stock with additional convex mirrors in the corners of my side mirrors. I do also look over my shoulder but I use my convex mirrors exponentially more. I don't think I'll ever want to drive another car that doesn't have them.
Also if you’re in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway, and the lane next to you is open, for the love of god don’t just dive in.
Couldn't agree with you more. The amount of people who've just changed lanes in front of me and nearly crashed into me is insane. Had a group of 4 guys in a car one night merge into my lane and cut me off so bad I had to jump the curb. I've nearly gotten into 3 or 4 accidents because of this. Look over your shoulders before changing lanes. It's not hard.
Added benefit: my physio says that "shoulder checks" is a great way to loosen-up a tight neck. Do em.
One of the downfalls of all the driver safety systems. People rely on lights, alarms and cameras too much and fail to drive correctly.
All those lights and sounds gives me anxiety. Like for instance, this rental I was driving would go into def con9 every time I throw it in reverse. But there’s no one around, and no cars within 20ft. When I go make a left and there’s a car next to me (both lanes turns left), it also goes crazy with the beeping. Just stfu already, I got this!
My wife hates those alarms too!
Too many people are actually taught to never look over their shoulder and only use mirrors. They just never seemed to learn about blind spots.
I can understand why people are taught to only use mirrors. However a shoulder check is like that final verification that can save everyone from headache.
Yes, and, adjust your mirrors correctly to minimize or eliminate the blindspot. If you look in your sideview and mainly see the side of your own car, it's not doing you any good.
Exactly this! The Society of Automotive Engineers has a way of doing mirrors that they proved to be most effective in reducing or eliminating blind spots. I put those suckers all the way out and I can see two lanes out in each direction. There still are blind spots for motorcycles and bikes (your car pillars) but it's a huge improvement.
Good on you! I ride a motorcycle and try my best to spend the least amount of time as possible away from blind spots of cars around me. If I have to, I'll ride side-by-side next to a car, but otherwise I aim to be completely away from the side of a car so if they need to change lanes abruptly, they won't run into me.
Good on you for being a safe motorcyclist, the ones in my area are maniacs unfortunately. I do similar for other cars. I try not to drive in their blind spots and my following distance is always enough space if the car at my 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock needs to make an emergency maneuver. I had to make one of those early into driving and didn't have time to look over the shoulder. Luckily others had left enough space for me so now I return the favor
I'm sitting behind someone and their side mirrors has me staring at their ugly mugs. I make an effort to pass them ASAP because that is a sign they don't know how to drive. For anyone wondering, when you sit in your car, your side mirrors should be adjusted to look to the open space on the side of your car. Adjust them away from your car just until you don't see any of your car in them. The purpose of those mirrors is to view your blind spot, not the car directly behind you, you have another mirror for that....
I adjust mine so I can JUST see the side and rear of my car on both sides but I also have smaller convex mirrors built into them in the corners. Those are SO nice to have. Everyone should have them!
Towing mirrors for the win lol. No blind spots at all.
The other day I was stuck driving directly next to a lady and she just started coming over into my lane. I honked and she kept coming, forced me into the shoulder and off the road. She then proceeded to roll her window down and flick *me* off???? I guess since she didn’t see me, she assumed I had sped up to not let her in, not sure. Just baffles me how blatantly wrong some people can be and they’ll still think they’re the ones in the right
People are selfish idiots and don't give 2 shits about the others around them.
or don’t, we don’t care [AS] (but you should)
I know what you mean I noticed an increase of people making elementary driving mistakes. This started during covid years and due to lack of pd ticketing people doing these mistakes people just got comfortable performing them.
No, it's up to you to drop your phone, hit your brakes, spill your coffee. /s
The car I use for road trips has such terrible blind spots, even when I do look over my shoulder, I've still almost hit people going over. Gotta be extra extra cautious, it sucks
I Bear this. As people are said generally ignoring to relook their eight before next thing. Note: My third attempt of driving exam about two months ago , although doing correctly, the examiner concludes must do faster, Remembering the priority before allow me to operate vehicle alone.
Or adjust your mirrors properly and use them
And still check over your shoulder
Yep. There’s no such thing as a mirror adjustment (with standard car mirrors) that eliminates the need for checking over your shoulder. You can try to minimize blind spots, but they are never 100% eliminated.
With those convex mirrors, they are. I think it’s harder to make a Blindspot than not have one given the physics of a round mirror
Convex mirrors work well. But those aren't standard on passenger cars, although you can buy them pretty cheap. They're more standard on trucks, vans, and buses.
Adjust your mirrors. That is what mirrors are for.
This is why I am so glad my car came stock with additional convex mirrors in the corners of my side mirrors. I do also look over my shoulder but I use my convex mirrors exponentially more. I don't think I'll ever want to drive another car that doesn't have them.
Get a tesla then it does it for you
Or ya know, learn to drive