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Re: UNFAIR SPEED LIMITS
In article <3nmfmg$lqg@insosf1.infonet.net>,
Chad Pasma <chdpsm@dordt.edu> wrote:
[with regards to setting mirrors properly...]
>Well then what do you propose we do when we have:
>a) no rearview mirror
I don't think it is legal to register a passenger vehicle (including
pickups and vans) in most juristictions without a rearview mirror.
>b) a big pillar blocking the rear view
Why is the rear view so important? The sides are infinitely more
important.
>c) people blocking your view
>d) a big crate in the back
>Obviously I'm talking about my van and truck here.
The situation may be a little different, but in most cases it won't be
too different (talking about passenger vans and pickups-- not
commercial trucks, step vans, busses, etc.). Pickup trucks and vans
have larger side mirrors, which help to see more of the road. I can
do this with my pickup. In fact, if you have a cap on the pickup,
looking over the shoulder doesn't really help, since the cap tends to
block the over-the-shoulder view. If you don't have a cap, there
should be no issue seeing behind.
Larger vehicles such as tractor-trailers and busses have more than one
mirror (many times the parabolic ones), so the so-called "blind spot"
is eliminated. These can also be used on smaller vehicles, although
they aren't necessary.
One thing alluded to above: what is more important-- seeing directly
behind or seeing behind to the sides? It seems to me that the most
accident-prone maneuver would be a lane change. Setting your mirrors
to protect against this is infinitely more important than knowing what
the blonde bimbo driving behind you looks like.
>Shoulder checks are still the best way to prevent sideswiping
>somebody when changing lanes. I know that from that little K-car I
>almost creamed when I first got my license.
I stand by my statement. They are unneccessary and potentially
dangerous. Look at what happens when you turn your head around to see
behind you-- your shoulders tend to turn. This can (and does) cause
many people to drift out of their driving lane.
BTW, the method I described for setting side mirrors is advocated by
the National Motorists Association. It is their feeling that it is
much safer.
-JPC
--
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John P. Curcio jpc@philabs.philips.com Philips Labs Briarcliff Manor, NY
"If nothing beats a Bud, given the choice, I'd take the nothing..."
"No goats, no boats, no motorcars, not a single 'yes-siree!'" -BH
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