# Objects are closer...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 2, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171 "2000-06-02T00:48:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171/1 "2000-06-02T00:48:14Z")

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Why is it that car manufacturers can’t install the same mirror on the driver’s side? Too useful?🙂

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**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171/2 "2000-06-02T01:59:06Z")

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Yes, they could install a normal mirror if they wanted to. But if they did, the field of view would be way too small. Instead they install a convex mirror so you can get a wider view (but reduced in size).

Of course, if they got rid of the stupid warning, the view would be even wider and less cluttered. I’ve never seen that warning in other countries, so why do they do it in the US? I’d think putting it in the owner’s manual is enough if they just wanted to protect themselves from lawsuits.

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**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171/3 "2000-06-02T03:12:33Z")

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scr: My point was “Why don’t they put a convex mirror on the driver’s side as well”, which would, in my opinion be much more useful by reducing the blind spot. There’s probably some simple explanation to all of this…

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**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-are-closer/21171/4 "2000-06-02T03:14:56Z")

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my WAG is that because of your close proximity to the mirror, you already have an adequate angle.