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Look Back in Anguish

4th September 1959
Page 38
Page 38, 4th September 1959 — Look Back in Anguish
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

REAR-VIEW mirrors seem to receive less attention from manufacturers than any other part of a vehicle. A new lorry or van with a mirror larger than about 3 in. in diameter is a rarity, yet a mirror of this size is practically useless and merely fulfils a legal requirement.

When asked by The Commercial Motor, only three out of 10 manufacturers and wholesalers in the London area were able to offer an exterior mirror more than 7 in. deep, the majority being content to market circular mirrors of up to 4-in. diameter. One concern, however — with, incidentally, an American director is developing a mirror some 15 in. by 9 in., a size not unusual in the U.S.A. and on the Continent, but almost unheard of in Great Britain.

Rear-view mirrors should at least give the driver a clear indication of what is happening behind his vehicle and to each side of it when on the road, but in many cases, particularly when large van bodies are fitted, they are his only aid in reversing into a narrow entry. The standard mirrors are usually entirely inadequate for this purpose, and the driver has to waste time in finding somebody who can guide him back.

It should not be difficult to solve this problem. A mirror beneath the cab floor and viewed through a toughened-glass screen in the floor indicates to the driver whether there is any person or object immediately behind his vehicle which would prevent his reversing it safely, but does no more. It is, however, a move in the right direction and at least one fleet operator is having this equipment fitted to all his delivery vehicles.

A mirror on each side with minimum dimensions of 10 in. by 5 in. would give a greatly improved view to the rear, but would not necessarily present a clear picture both at a distance and close up at ground level. Better results might be obtained with a dual-plane mirror, rather after the style of a bi-focal spectacle lens. in which the lower half could be inclined so that the driver could see each of the rear wheels, whilst the main section would give him lateral rearward vision in normal driving.

Really, large mirrors do, of course, present problems in rigid mounting, while providing an adequate range of adjustment, but the difficulties can be overcome. A large mirror is more expensive than a small one, but the sum involved is insignificant. A 91-in. by 51–in. rectangular mirror can be supplied to a vehicle manufacturer for 6s. to 7s. and a pair should not—even allowing for a high margin of profit—add more than £1 to the cost of a lorry or van. This is a small price to pay for increased safety and efficiency.


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