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Switching lanes raises my blood pressure

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Pasaman, Mar 13, 2014.

  1. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    I drive on the freeway quite a bit and every time I have to switch lanes to my left I feel like I'm risking my life in my PiP. I look into my drivers side mirror and lean forward to see it up close and also turn around and look over my left shoulder (quickly and safely). But even doing those things I feel like everytime I merge I'm praying no one is in my blind spot. The rear window just makes it so difficult to switch lanes.

    How do you all handle this? My other car is a Honda Fit and I have no problems at all. I just wish I felt a bit safer when switching lanes!
     
  2. ptn

    ptn Junior Member

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    Blind spot mirrors that can be added to the side view mirrors.



    I don't like the circular ones and the above is similar to the ones I have. I still check my blind spots as a habit but feel more comfortable with these now since I had the same problem was you.
     
  3. SKMoss

    SKMoss Junior Member

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    More than once in the past couple of days (only had the PIP for 4 days) I've wished the back up camera was accessible while driving. It would sure help.
     
  4. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I use the adjustable circular mirrors. It has taken me a while to adjust to the small image in these mirrors but they do help with the blind spots.
     
  5. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

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    Adjust your mirrors properly and there is no blind spot. This takes some getting used to for most people but it's much safer. Hint: if you can see the side of your car in your side mirrors, they aren't adjusted properly.
     
    CaliforniaBear, jhinsc and Bob G IA like this.
  6. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    Yeah I'll have to make sure they are adjusted properly. I guess my issue is that I always like to turn over my shoulder and check just to make sure and in my PiP this isn't possible.
     
  7. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    I like my 2-3 inch convex mirrors, not so much for distance from a car, but if nothing in big mirror then convex confirms I did not miss any thing then I can move over. I have used them for over 30 years would not drive my car with out them.
     
  8. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    Do you have a link to them? I'm interested in the ones you use.
     
  9. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    They are really cheap, any auto parts house, hardware store, shopko, k-mart, lowes you get the Idea.
     
  10. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    Something like this?

     
  11. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yep!
     
  12. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I did not realize I did not know how to adjust my outside mirrors until about 5 years ago when I read this in the newspaper. It will eliminate the blind spots. To set the left mirror, place your head against the side window and adjust the mirror until you just see the side of your car---much like you would have set the mirror in the past. To set the right outside mirror, lean toward the center of the car and adjust the passenger side mirror until the side of the car just comes into view. To make sure blind spots are eliminated, watch as a car passes while you are in your driving position. If the mirror is properly adjusted, you should be able to see the overtaking car in the outside mirror before it leaves the inside mirror. Then you should be able to see the front of the car from the corner of your eye before it leaves the outside mirror--- all without turning your head. Always use the rearview mirror as your primary one. Before changing lanes, check it to make sure nobody is coming from the rear. Then, glance at the sideview mirror to see whether anyone is in your blind spot. If it is clear, change lanes.
     
  13. cheallen

    cheallen Junior Member

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    If you do not have passengers riding in the rear seats, rear visibility is greatly improved by folding the rear head rests down and forward so they are horizontal rather than vertical. Then adjust the mirrors as above.
     
  14. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    That is certainly an added good idea. I rarely have any passengers in the rear of my car so I finally just removed all the rear head rests. That made a very big difference. Surprising how the rear head rests blocks your rear view.
     
  15. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    I pay attention to the cars around me, I know what they're doing, but in the dark, it's possible to miscalculate the distance a set of lights is behind in heavy traffic, at which point I won't switch lanes until sure of positioning. Just another learned skill, the same as being comfortable in the cabin of a prii. Yes, having the mirrors adjusted so no head movement is a good start, also keeping the head on the head "rest", takes away muscle fatigue, just an eye shift, not a lean forward look left, lean right and forward to look right. If you drive slower than the flow, it's your responsibility not to cut another off to pass an even slower driver;)
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hate the people who pull up to your rear quarterpanel and then hang there for hours. after awhile, you forget they are there.
     
  17. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I almost NEVER carry passengers in the rear seat.

    So, I removed the rear head rest and just plugged the holes with cheap 3/8 inch nylon plastic inserts plugs from Lowe's or any hardware store. Lowe's have them in both black and white.
     
  18. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Make sure to keep one or two with you just in case you have unexpected guests. Also, why plug them? Aesthetics?
     
  19. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Why not just fold them down?
     
  20. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    Maybe I'll just fold the rear seats down all the way rather than just the headrests since no one is ever in my backseat. Does this offer any added visibility over just folding down the headrests?