"For the past few years, various carmakers have been offering blind-spot detection systems for their cars’ side mirrors. Often complex, these systems employ cameras or radar to scan the adjoining lanes for vehicles that may have disappeared from view. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper in 1995 suggesting how outside mirrors could be adjusted to eliminate blind spots. The paper advocates adjusting the mirrors so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror. This can be disorienting for drivers used to seeing the flanks of their own car in the side mirrors. But when correctly positioned, the mirrors negate a car’s blind spots. This obviates the need to glance over your shoulder to safely change lanes as well as the need for an expensive blind-spot warning system. The only problem is getting used to the SAE-recommended mirror positions. The cabin’s rearview mirror is used to keep an eye on what is coming up from behind, while the outside mirrors reflect the area outside the view of the inside rearview mirror. Those who have switched to the SAE’s approach swear by it, however, some drivers can’t adjust to not using the outside mirrors to see directly behind the car and miss being able to see their own car in the side mirrors. To them we say, “Have fun filling out those accident reports.”" - AJ Batac (/-_-) from Bookmarklet

My wife adjusts her mirrors as C&D recommends, but I haven't been able to make that adjustment. I need to have my own car in the mirror as a frame of reference for my spatial awareness. 30+ years of driving and that habit isn't going to change anytime soon. I tend to check all my mirrors quite often, so I'm almost always aware of when cars are approaching my blind spots and I take that into account before making lane changes, etc. I also tend to lean forward while looking out the left side mirror to view the blind spot before merging there as a double check. - Ken Gidley

I like Amit's better: http://friendfeed.com/amitp... - Stephen Mack

Ken, Amit points out you can always lean a little bit if you need to see your own car. I did a lot of that at first, but now trust the mirrors and no longer need to see my own car. I feel a lot safer when driving now. - Stephen Mack

At least the way Lisa has them set, my head collides with the window long before I can the side of the car - most disconcerting. - Ken Gidley

I just let Jesus watch my blind-spot. - SteVe "Beefy Miracle" C

My wife likes to see the car. I prefer no blind spot. - caj

I learned how to drive in a car without a mirror on the right side. I don't think I'll ever get rid of the habit of rapidly glancing over my shoulder before changing lanes, blind spots or not. - Victor Ganata