Traffic Mirrors – Silent Heroes of the Highway
A significant proportion of RTAs are caused by drivers who are not aware that other road users are close to their own vehicle.These accidents often occur at junctions, crossings, roundabouts or blind turns. If larger vehicles are involved, these accidents can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Surprisingly, it is in the face of such serious consequences that the humble roadside traffic mirror can prove to be a potential life saver.
We see them all the time in everyday use, mostly for purposes of security in shops and warehouses – convex safety mirrors which come in either rectangular or circular form.These convex mirrors consist of a reflective face made of shatterproof acrylic and housing made from unbreakable ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic which is UV treated in order to protect it from the discolouring effects of sunlight.
Traffic mirrors are suitable at sites where traffic on the road is travelling at a speed where visibility for oncoming or emerging vehicles is virtually zero.They assist drivers in avoiding situations that could lead to accidents – common high risk collision hotspots are driveways, concealed entrances as well as crossroads and intersections.
These mirrors are found not just on the roads but also on the vehicles that travel on them, being as they are a vital road safety component of the rear view mirrors on HGVs.It is vital that the drivers of these vehicles pay particular attention to what is in their blind spot as visibility is of paramount importance.
So as well as keeping an eye on your rear view mirrors, remember to keep your eyes moving around on the view ahead.Many drivers can develop a hypnotic stare at a point of on the road in front of them and not pay any attention to what may be coming.This could prove to be a serious mistake – if they failed to notice the mirror letting them know about the HGV hurtling around the next blind turn, it could be the last mistake they make.