All vehicles are required by law to include rearview mirrors in their designs. So when it comes to blind spot mirrors for cars, what can they offer that standard mirrors can’t? Even though you can find blind spot mirrors supercheap, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should make use of them.
Blind spot mirrors offer plenty of benefits. They’ll help you switch lanes safely. Manoeuvring your car and navigating walls when parking while identifying dangers coming from behind become easier. When you reverse out of your driveway, this small item can save lives by helping you look out for children and pets.
In this article, we will look at the benefits offered by blind spot mirrors for cars. We’ll start with exploring the legality of using such mirrors before diving into their benefits and whether or not you should buy them for your car.
Let’s get started.
Is It Legal to Use Blind Spot Mirrors in Australia?
Yes, blind spot mirrors are legal in Australia even though they're not allowed in some other countries. Attachments like blind spot mirrors are generally accepted here as long as they do not extend beyond the legal limits for side-view mirrors.
Still, it's crucial to understand that Australian states and territories each have their road laws. So, to be extra sure, check with your local road authority.
Should I Buy a Blind Spot Mirror?
Yes, you should. Not only can you get them super cheap at your nearby auto accessories shop; it’s also not that hard to learn how or where to place blind spot mirrors yourself.
To understand the benefits of having blind spot mirrors, let’s look at how they’ll help you when you’re on the move, when you’re parking your vehicle, and when you’re reversing out of your household driveway.
When on the Move
Having blind spot mirrors on your car will benefit you the most when you’re mobile. As you drive down the road, there will no doubt be moments when you need to switch lanes. Doing that safely is easy; you’ll check your side view mirror, turn on your signal, and gradually move your vehicle to your target lane.
The challenge here is that it will be difficult to see other vehicles in your car’s blind spot. A car or truck is easier to notice, but you might miss something smaller like a bike or motorcycle.
In this scenario, a blind spot mirror could be a lifesaver by helping you notice smaller vehicles in your blind spots.
When Parking
Blind spot mirrors for cars are also exceptionally helpful when you’re parking your car. Unfortunately, not all parking lots are generous with the amount of space they provide to drivers. So, you’ll often have to carefully manoeuvre your car around other vehicles, pillars, and even pesky pedestrians who insist on walking around your car while you’re trying hard to park.
These tiny mirrors can also make a big difference in terms of personal security. If you’re concerned about someone sneaking up on you as you’re entering or exiting your vehicle, these mirrors will make it much easier for you to double-check your blind spots before you unlock the door.
When Backing Out of the Driveway
Parents and pet owners will know what it’s like to be extra cautious when backing out of their driveway every day. That’s because they know that children and small pets are exceptionally difficult to see in their side-view mirrors and impossible to see in their rear-view mirror when reversing.
With blindspot mirrors, kids and pets are much easier to notice should they come too close to the car when you’re reversing. So, these cheap and small mirrors indirectly help to make your driveway much safer for everyone.
Overall
Whether you’re driving, parking, or reversing, having blind spot mirrors helps you avoid turning your head to check your blindspots. You might not notice you’re doing it, but all drivers have a habit of turning their head slightly when changing lanes or reversing.
Turning your head is an effective way at checking your blind spots but can be dangerous because it takes your focus away from the road in front or behind you. So while you're checking your car's blind spots, you could miss another danger that's right in front of you.
Having blind spot mirrors allows you to check your blind spot using your peripheral vision. While your eyes might look at the mirror, your head is still looking at the road, and you’ll notice any dangers ahead.
Do Blind Spot Mirrors Really Work?
Yes, they really work, but knowing where to place blind spot mirrors is crucial to ensure that they work best for you. This means that you need to experiment with various locations on top of your side-view mirrors to find that optimal spot.
The placement makes a difference because not all drivers sit the same. Based on your height and posture, the angles that you see in the mirror might be different. So, be sure to experiment and find which one works best for you.
Types of Blind Spot Mirrors
When shopping for blind spot mirrors, you’ll discover that they come in many different shapes and sizes.
Attachment
Some blind spot mirrors stick directly onto your existing side-view mirror with nothing more than double-sided tape. These are easy to stick on, but as you might imagine, they’re hard to remove if the need ever arises.
Other types clamp onto the top of your side view mirror’s cover or housing, much like a towing mirror would.
Shapes
Many blind spot mirrors are square or disc-shaped. Others might come in more unique shapes to fit better with your existing side-view mirrors. The difference in shapes is primarily aesthetic so they don’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Learn More about Car Accessories!
To get your hands on some blind spot mirrors for cars and other car accessories, check out Carpart.com.au. You can look up items in the Marketplace or submit a request through the Part Finder if you're looking for something more specific.
By Ray Hasbollah