Have you ever seen vehicles with side mirrors covered by plastic bags? Some drivers put bags on the mirrors like people wearing hats and gloves. If you ask them why they do it, they’ll present you with various reasons ranging from the sensible to the far-fetched.
But is there any real benefit to driving with a Ziplock bag over the car mirror? Is it even legal in the first place? Let’s look at the practice and determine what’s real and fake.
Drivers who cover their car mirrors with plastic bags will cite various reasons for the strange practice. The most common explanations include the following:
Some drivers claim they use plastic bags to keep cleaning solutions on the mirrors. If they don’t cover the mirrors, glass cleaners and other solutions might leak from the recently cleaned part.
However, cleaning solutions don’t leak from the side mirrors, even if you apply excessive amounts to the glass.
Some drivers believe they can prevent break-ins if plastic bags cover the side mirrors. The bags reportedly obscure the reflection, making it more difficult for a burglar to check your vehicle’s interior for valuables by looking at the image reflected on the glass.
However, nothing prevents burglars from removing the plastic bags from the externally mounted mirrors. Or they can bypass the makeshift cover by directly peering through a window. Furthermore, the bags might draw the attention of thieves and make them think that there’s something valuable in the vehicle.
Have you ever been blinded by reflected glare from the side mirrors while driving at night? Some drivers respond to that unpleasant experience by covering the mirrors with plastic bags. According to them, the bags reduce the glare from the headlights of vehicles coming up from behind.
This anti-glare counter has drawbacks. The plastic bags might make it harder to see anything in the mirrors. Also, the bags might fall off the mirrors while driving, potentially increasing the risk of road accidents if they fly into the windshield of another vehicle.
Sometimes, drivers want to stay in their parked vehicles for long periods. If they need rest, they make the interior as dark as possible to help them nap. If it’s during the day, they might want to minimize the risk of getting overheated or sunburned by direct sunlight. Whatever their situation, they grab plastic bags and cover the side mirrors to reduce reflected light.
However, there are more effective ways to keep the interior dark, such as installing sun shades and window tinting. Unless the side mirrors shine the light directly onto the occupants, covering the mirrors with plastic bags is the less effective approach.
Last but not least, some drivers put plastic bags over the car mirrors to keep these parts clean. They don’t want any dirt or dust gathering on these parts. Of course, no part stays unmarred forever, and the bags can only do so much.
There’s no law that specifically prohibits covering car mirrors with plastic bags–as long as your vehicle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But things change once you fire up the engine. Driving with plastic bags over the mirrors violates the spirit of many laws that govern car mirrors, and that’s usually enough to land you in hot water with the long arm of the law.
Both federal and state laws state that car mirrors must show a long stretch of the road or highway. Take California Vehicle Code, Section 26709. It says that “The following described types of motor vehicles, of a type subject to registration, shall be equipped with mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.”
No matter how transparent the plastic bag is, it might reduce the clarity of the reflection in the car mirror. If you can’t see as far back as you should, you might find yourself at greater risk of a road accident.
There are two legitimate reasons to cover side mirrors with plastic bags. They are the following:
Does your vehicle have non-heated side mirrors, and it can’t support the installation of heated mirrors? You can keep the mirrors free from snow and ice by enclosing them in plastic bags. The bags can help prevent the mirror from freezing and fracturing because of extreme cold.
The other reason is to stop birds from attacking your vehicle’s side mirrors. When a bird perches on the mirror and sees its reflection, it might think it’s seeing an enemy and start pecking. Some bird species have hard beaks that can damage the mirror’s reflective surface.
Putting a plastic bag over the car mirror can prevent the bird from seeing its reflection. Of course, you should only cover the side mirrors after you’ve parked your vehicle. Don’t forget to remove the bags once you’re ready to drive home.
Plastic bags offer an affordable and acceptable solution to protecting your parked vehicle’s side mirrors from angry birds and inclement weather. However, they’re a makeshift and temporary solution at best, with their effectiveness limited by drawbacks.
Instead of using plastic bags, install side mirror covers on your vehicle. These accessories keep the car mirrors free of snow and ice. They also protect against hazards that can damage the glass.
Side mirror covers enjoy advantages over repurposed plastic bags. Designed to protect the mirrors, they’re more durable and last longer than bags. Covers also fit more securely on the mirrors, which reduces the risk of losing them to a fierce gust of wind. Furthermore, mirror covers come in many colors and designs, so you can choose one that fits your preferences and your vehicle’s mirrors.
Anyone can put and remove side mirror covers on their vehicle with minimal effort. They should ensure the cover fits tightly over the mirror. Go for mirror covers with anti-theft guard features to prevent covetous people from taking the accessories for their own vehicles.
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