Here’s Why Objects in the Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear

At some point, you might have seen a fine print on your passenger side mirror that reads, “objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.”

But how exactly is that possible?

How Do Car Mirrors Work?

The passenger side mirror is a convex mirror, making objects appear further away than they actually are. On the other hand, the driver-side mirror is flat like a bathroom mirror, so there’s no distortion from that side.

Passenger side mirrors have dramatic curves to bend the light and show the driver a wider perspective of the road. Curved mirrors also help eliminate blind spots, but they can make objects seem smaller than they are in reality.

A Brief Background on Car Mirrors

The side mirror first appeared in 1911 when Ray Harroun mounted it on his Marmon race car. However, it was in 1921 when Elmer Berger received the first patent for the mirror.

Side mirrors were originally mounted to the front fenders, side-mounted spare tires, or the top of the driver’s door frame.

It was only during the 1960s that car mirrors became standard equipment on vehicles. Before that, a lot of vehicle manufacturers didn’t see the need to have them, especially for cars being driven on single-track and two-lane roads.

But when multi-lane highways were developed following the Federal Highway Act in 1956, car mirrors became more popular by the day.

Traffic Rules on Side Mirrors

Having damaged or no side mirrors won’t affect your vehicle’s drivability, but traffic visibility can become a serious issue.

Side mirrors can help you see up to 200 feet behind your vehicle, which is why several states require drivers to have both of them for safety. Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, and New York are the states that require vehicles to have a passenger and driver-side mirror.

There are, however, some states that don’t require vehicles to have both side mirrors as long as they have a rearview mirror.

Side Mirrors Today

Before, side mirrors were plain mirrors that you adjusted manually for better road visibility. But today, thanks to technology, side mirrors can do more than that.

Several vehicle manufacturers have adopted the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and integrated it into new car models.

First developed by Volvo in 2007, the BLIS technology uses information from sensors and cameras built into side mirrors to help drivers see their blind spots.

Other technological advancements in side mirrors include the lane departure warning and parking sonar. And although these developments have sparked debates about producing lazy drivers, such features have proven to help reduce road accidents.

Modern side mirrors have also become a popular part to sell in the black market, especially those from luxury brands like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, among others.

Thanks to the mirrors’ expensive sensory equipment, they can be sold for about $1,500 to $2,000.

The Future of Side Mirrors

Automakers keep finding ways to improve their vehicles, and one of the many advancements they’re looking into includes car camera side mirrors.

Car camera side mirrors will replace the traditional, bulky side mirrors一an idea that was originally prohibited by US regulations.

According to the country’s traffic rules, vehicles must have physical mirrors mounted to their outside wings.

However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering a policy change once it tests the safety of car camera side mirrors.

Once approved, you might see more cameras mounted on either side of vehicles, showing a live video on the dashboard.

Car camera side mirrors are expected to reduce aerodynamic drag, improve fuel economy, and reduce wind noise.

Side Mirror Variations

Side mirrors can be modified in different ways. The most common ones are flat, convex, blind spot, blue, and heated.

Flat Mirrors

Typically installed on the driver’s side, flat mirrors don’t distort images, so actual locations and sizes of images can be seen.

Convex Mirrors

Convex mirrors are typically installed on the passenger side to help drivers obtain maximum visibility by bending light and distorting the image in the mirror.

And because objects can appear farther away than they actually are when viewed from the passenger side mirror, drivers should be careful when switching lanes. They must keep in mind that the objects in the mirror are actually a lot closer than they think.

Blind Spot Mirrors

A blind spot mirror is a small, round mirror at the edge of the passenger side mirror. It has an additional curvature that helps drivers see their blind spots when maneuvering their vehicles.

Blue Mirrors

This type is made with a blue tint that reduces headlight brightness from an oncoming vehicle.

Heated Mirrors

Heated mirrors come with a heating system to defrost and defog the lenses during cold weather.

Proper Side Mirror Adjustment

Side mirrors can only do their job of helping you see the road clearly if you adjust them the right way.

Depending on your vehicle, you can either adjust the mirrors manually or use a small lever or joystick on the driver’s side door.

Both side mirrors should be adjusted in a way that you can see the road behind you and a portion of your car’s side profile.

The Bottom Line

Mirrors on the driver’s and passenger’s sides offer different views. While the driver’s side mirror reveals objects the way they actually are, the passenger side mirror makes objects appear farther because of its convex lens.

So when changing lanes or maneuvering your vehicle, make sure to keep this in mind to avoid getting into an accident.

There are also various types of side mirrors that you can install on your vehicle to make it easier for you to measure the distance between you and other vehicles on the road.

“Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear” Safety Warning

Today, you’ll notice the warning “objects in mirror are closer than they appear” printed on passenger-side mirrors all across the country. This warning is a legal requirement in the US, and for good reason.

Typically, when light hits an object within our vision, it reflects off that object and into our eyes, allowing our brains to translate it into an image. Now, when a light ray reflects off an object and falls into the center of a convex mirror, its path remains unaltered. Our brain then translates that light into an image and is inherently able to approximate how far the object is from us through the mirror. However, if the light ray bounces off the convex mirror’s curved edges, it bounces further before reaching our eyes. This bouncing creates an image in the mirror that seems farther away to our brains, necessitating the warning.

The “objects in mirror are closer than they appear” safety warning serves as an important reminder for all drivers to stay alert while on the road, especially of other vehicles and their positions.

Get Long-Lasting Side Mirrors For Your Vehicle

From hitting another object while driving to getting pecked by angry birds, there are many ways for the side mirrors to crack or even get torn off. If this happens, it’s best to stop operating your vehicle for your safety until you can replace the faulty mirror. Fortunately, you can order durable replacement side mirrors from CarParts.com.

CarParts.com is your one-stop shop for side mirrors and other replacement parts and accessories that you can depend on. Exclusively sourced from trusted manufacturers, our products are guaranteed to deliver long-lasting performance. Search our extensive catalog of dependable side mirrors by year, make, and model to find the part that fits your application. We keep your online shopping experience secure and trouble-free with an ordering process that only takes several mouse clicks or screen taps. Furthermore, our customer service personnel are here 24/7 to answer any questions about our products.

Why ignore a fractured or missing side mirror when CarParts.com can deliver a replacement part to your doorstep within several business days? Check out our selection of competitively priced side mirrors today.