The reader asks ‘why have the funky mirror on the left that distorts everything.’
Cece replys: So you can see.
The bigger crime is that Federal regulation dosen’t permit a convex mirror on the driver’s side mirror. It’s a common feature in Europe on vechicles that, due to their sylish exterior, have given up some visibility.
Us 'mericans have to be satisfied with the stick on mirror you buy from the truckstop…not as pretty, but heck, you can tell if somebody’s stealing your gascap!
By not knowing my right from my left!
The column is How come “objects in mirror are closer than they appear”? Why not the right distance?, but it’s a classic column not a mailbag column.
Thank you RM Mentock.
Welcome to the SDMB, and thank you for posting your comment.
Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site.
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Cecil’s column can be found on-line at the link provided by RM Mentock.
Since the article is a Straight Dope column, not a mailbag answer, this thread is leaving the Comments on Mailbag Answers forum and taking up a new home in the Comments on Cecil’s Columns forum.
While you’re there, you might want to read the thread “Objects in mirror”.
Amusing note someone had painted on their side-view mirror.
“Objects in mirror are LARGER then they appear.”
When you think about it, that is not only more precise, but could eliminate some confusion really really stupid drivers might have with the usual phrasing.
“Um. Sure that car behind me looks like it’s near the second lamppost, but my mirror says it’s really closer, so it must be near the first lamppost.”