11 replies to this topic

[Brams96]

I had a thought recently about the rear view mirrors on cars, Why not do away with them altogether!

But . . .

Have small camera's, like the ones you get for reversing camera's, in small aerodynamic bullet shaped 'brackets' and have them displayed on a split screen in the dash or better yet have them display on a screen inplace of the center internal mirror so you would have a wider screen but displaying all 3 images.

Is this s daft idea? Are there any MOT/DVLA/VOSA rules stating it needs to be an actual reflective mirror?

[bmcecosse]

I think you DO have to have real mirrors - two off . Some moderns have cameras but only for reversing I believe.

[Beej123]

You have to have 2 ways of looking behind you without turning around, and I'm pretty sure that there are new cars with cameras instead of mirrors.

[Cooperman]

One interior mirror only is OK on older cars, but I don't know the cut-off date for this.

[charliedurrant]

I had a thought recently about the rear view mirrors on cars, Why not do away with them altogether!

But . . .

Have small camera's, like the ones you get for reversing camera's, in small aerodynamic bullet shaped 'brackets' and have them displayed on a split screen in the dash or better yet have them display on a screen inplace of the center internal mirror so you would have a wider screen but displaying all 3 images.

Is this s daft idea? Are there any MOT/DVLA/VOSA rules stating it needs to be an actual reflective mirror?

I've used a camera / screen on a Ford Fiesta. It does work and was ironically built in to the rear view mirror. Contrast in bright light is the problem hence the Fiesta combined both. The camera was only really for parking.

I always tend to turn around especially when changing lane on the motorway. Dangerous I guess but it does mean I don't worry about the blind spot.

Charlie

Edited by charliedurrant, 02 December 2011 - 08:03 PM.

[Brams96]

So if you kept the internal mirror you could still replace the door mirrors & fit a screen?

[tommy13]

Passenger vehicles first used before 01 August 1978 need only one mirror which can be an exterior mirror fitted to the offside or nearside or an interior mirror.
After 01 August 1978 , passenger vehicles must have an offside exterior mirror and one other(either interior or nearside exterior).
These are the MOT requirements.
Mirrors are low tech, very reliable and cheap, cameras and monitors are not.

[J960mayfair]

See i never thought you had to have an interior mirror because if you think off the transit vans etc with cabins and blanked out rear door what good would it be??
scott

[Brams96]

@ Tommy13 - Bugger. Bang goes that idea then

[markxe]

http://www.ukmot.com/6-6.asp#Text_top

[AVV IT]

After 01 August 1978 , passenger vehicles must have an offside exterior mirror and one other(either interior or nearside exterior).

There was even a road safety advert on telly around the time, reminding people not to take the additional mirrors off. I can still remember the overly official voice over saying "You need to have two rear view mirrors, one must be on the right!!".

Okay I'm showing my age now!! (But in my defence I was a very young child at the time, it's just that I have an exceptionally good memory for that kind of thing... honest!! )

[Ivor Badger]

See i never thought you had to have an interior mirror because if you think off the transit vans etc with cabins and blanked out rear door what good would it be??
scott

Vans and estate cars where the rear view could be blocked internally by the load, have to have 2 external mirrors and always have from before the start of mini production.