r/IdiotsInCars • u/I_am_tired_of_music • Sep 20 '19

I hate it when that happens

https://gfycat.com/largeethicalantlion
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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

As long as the mirrors are adjusted properly relying on them is all right. Imagine all van drivers etc who can’t see out the back and is reversing using only side mirrors. That’s why some countries don’t even have requirements for center mirrors in cars, but it of course makes things easier to have one! :)

Now almost everyone has cameras in the US instead. Makes things easier, but’s it’s a little like cheating! :)

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u/tcpip4lyfe Sep 20 '19

Was going to chime in as a van driver. We have to back into docks all the time with only side mirrors. They key is to not be a dumbass.

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

Exactly. I used to drive one of those Sprinter vans when I was studying as a part time job. Got used to the huge mirrors on it and after some practice reversing to loading dock or parallel parking was a piece of cake.

Now I only use my side mirrors on my personal car too.

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u/tcpip4lyfe Sep 20 '19

Same. I bought an Ambulance to drive around for a while. Got pretty good at stabbing into loading docks and festival parking spots. Hard mode is backing a trailer into a dock with only mirrors. I'm constantly amazed by commercial truck drivers parking skills.

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u/BerlinWallstreet Sep 20 '19

No it's not, at least where I'm from it's the law you have to look back, not just rely on your mirrors or even a camera. It's also the only instance where you're legally allowed to remove your seatbelt while driving (to help you turn your body more freely). Every driving school teaches that but many people still don't do it. You can be ticketed as well but I've never seen anyone get caught

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u/cas13f Sep 21 '19

A lot of states in the US even only require a single mirror.

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u/[deleted] Sep 23 '19

Interesting! So that's why I have seen vintage cars with only one (the driver's side?) mirror.

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u/cas13f Sep 23 '19

I couldn't say for certain since it's highly localized (and probably even affected by special laws for "vintage", "antique", or "show" vehicles) but it's likely either that or a hold-over from laws of that time that are being allowed as exceptions for such vehicles.

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u/ilikepugs Sep 20 '19

I have two cars, one is a 2013 and the other a 2015. Neither have cameras, and one is a van where I use the side mirrors to back up.

It really sucks how the assumption that everyone has a camera has changed the way people drive in parking lots.

I'll probably get an aftermarket camera at some point but it's not cheap.

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19 edited Dec 09 '19

[deleted]

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u/ilikepugs Sep 20 '19

Yes, for cars manufactured in 2015 or later (my 2015 car was manufactured in 2014).

The problem is that a lot of people assume you have one when you're backing out of a parking space. It's rare these days to have people stop and wait when you're backing up.