Choosing a Blind Spot Mirror

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With joggers, bikers, children playing and other cars going by, neighbourhoods are often bustling with activity. Sometimes pulling out of your driveway feels a bit like a gamble.

However, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it really shouldn’t be. A blind spot mirror can at most save someone’s life, and at least keep you from pulling out inches at a time.

There are several different types of convex mirrors to choose from, and some have distinct purposes. For instance, dome mirrors have a shape that allows you to see in multiple directions. This is perfect for mounting on the ceiling since it gives you a view of an entire room. These are frequently used in shops for surveying a room to keep an eye out for thieves.

Industrial safety mirrors are perfect for keeping everyone safe around a workplace, whether you are carrying a box around a corner or driving a forklift through warehouse isles, it’s great to be able to see where you are going.

For backing out of your driveway, you’ll want an outdoor convex driveway blind spot mirror. This will allow you to see around troublesome shrubs, trees and corners that block your view of the street.

Why Would I Need a Blindspot Mirror?

Blind spot mirrors are a valuable device to install where vision paths intersect or where some obstruction may jeopardise overall safety.

Whether you’re trying to prevent an accident with passing traffic, structural elements or even pedestrians, a blind spot mirror can be positioned in a variety of places for all these hazards. In this article we’ll discuss:

  • The practical aspects of blind spot mirrors
  • What role that colour and shape play
  • How a blind spot mirror can deter theft

Ensure On-Site Safety of Personnel

Labour intensive jobs involving heavy lifting, high-powered machinery and construction could significantly benefit from an industrial blind spot convex mirror. It’s necessary first to identify the floor plan of the facility to better gauge how many and which type of blind spot mirrors you’ll need. To better illustrate their function let’s take a look at the Vumax 3 Wide Angle Fork Lift Truck. Constructed to provide an 180-degree panoramic view, the Vumax is resistant to UV rays, is built using a solid polymer and has a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.  Installation could not be simpler with the included universal fixing kit and the rounded edges which make it safe for any driver jumping in or out of the cab. Blind spot mirrors for buildings are durable, practical, and well worth the investment.

Colour Plays an Important Component

You may not realise it but the colour of a blind spot mirror can increase its effectiveness and thus the overall safety. Yellow/black are standard safety hazard colours in addition to white/red. Often you’ll also be able to select the shape you prefer. The Vialux EU Yellow/Black Warehouse Mirror is constructed with an unbreakable polymer face, 90-degree viewing points, and has a three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Plus, the yellow/black frame adheres to EU Directive 92/58 regarding safety initiatives in the workplace. If you need to place this mirror in an outdoor facility, rest assured that it would withstand winds up to 114mph.

Convex and blind spot mirrors are available to purchase in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you’re bound to find one for your space. Additionally, the price per unit usually goes down when you purchase larger quantities.  Again, it’s best to consult the building’s floor plan and the needs of each department before purchasing.

Thieves Beware—There’s Nowhere to Hide

In addition to safety, blind spot mirrors are appropriate for retail establishments and businesses that receive a moderate to high degree of foot traffic. Typically mounted on the interior ceiling, a blind spot mirror allows attendants and staff to monitor the actions of shoppers. Coupled with a few security cameras near the front and back end of your store, a blind spot mirror can stop a thief in his tracks or possibly even identify misconduct among store personnel.

Blind spot mirrors provide a practical solution to real-world problems. If your residence or business has a zone where you think safety could be compromised or your merchandise could be at risk seriously consider adding a mirror.

What is a Convex or Blind Spot Mirror?

Panoramic Safety Mirror A convex blind spot mirror is a curved mirror that is designed to allow the viewer to see those parts of their surroundings that they would not ordinarily be able to see. Convex mirrors are often mounted next to tight corners on the roads to allow drivers to check for oncoming traffic. A convex or blind spot mirror is also very useful when reversing a car, as it allows the driver to check for obstacles in their blind spot. The other use for convex mirrors is in shops, where they are used to give shop floor staff a view of the entire store. This increased visibility improves security by making it easier to catch shoplifters.

Using a Convex Blind Spot Mirror to Deter Shoplifting

Convex mirrors are used in shops to improve staff visibility and deter theft. These convex dome-shaped mirrors are usually mounted on the ceiling or in the corner between the ceiling and the walls of the shop. They can be used in combination with security cameras to allow the whole shop floor to be viewed by a security guard. Although the image seen in the mirror will be slightly distorted, it is crisp enough for staff to check up on what shoppers are doing. Having these mirrors prominently displayed in a shop deters shoplifting by letting would-be thieves know that they are being watched at all times.

Using a Convex Blind Spot Mirror to Help With Reversing a Vehicle

Blind Spot Mirror Reversing a vehicle is a tricky job because the driver does not usually have a clear view of the area behind the vehicle. Even if the driver uses the rear-view and wing mirrors on the car correctly, there is still a blindspot behind the car. For this reason, many homeowners choose to install a convex mirror outside their home to give a clear view of their driveway when reversing. Convex blindspot mirrors are also used in warehouses to prevent collisions between vehicles such as forklifts, that move between the rows of stored goods. Some local authorities have installed convex mirrors on tight corners where visibility is low to reduce the risk of head-on collisions. These mirrors have been shown to lower the number of road accidents taking place on dangerous corners.

How to Choose a Convex Blind Spot Mirror

When purchasing a convex blind spot mirror, there are several considerations that you should take into account before choosing a particular model. Convex mirrors that are to be used outdoors need to be able to withstand the wind, rain and other environmental hazards without rusting or becoming damaged. Convex mirrors designed for outdoor use are usually made of stainless steel, security glass or at the budget end of the scale acrylic or polymer faces that are treated to make them as weather-proof as possible. Mirrors that will be used indoors, for example in a shop, don't need the same level of durability, but care should be taken when choosing a mirror to make sure it will offer a wide-angle view and also look attractive in a retail environment.

How to Use Blind Spot Mirrors to Improve Residential Traffic Safety

For drivers and pedestrians in residential areas, eliminating blind spots can significantly increase safety. A blind spot mirror can help you see a wider area that’s usually blocked by obstructions.

Your neighbourhood should be a safe refuge for you and your family. However, traffic accidents are common occurrences and sometimes they can happen very close to home. Improving the safety of your neighbourhood’s roads and pavements can improve the overall safety of your community. There are several ways to increase traffic safety. You should wear reflective clothes or bright colours at night, drive carefully when you’re behind the wheel and teach children about safe ways to cross roads.

However, there are few ways you can improve safety with a simple object like a convex mirror. Convex or blind spot mirrors are dome shaped mirrors that are used in a variety of locations to increase visibility. In shops, they are used to deter shoplifting and keep an eye out for crime. On the road and in neighbourhoods they are used to reveal blind spots. They can often be seen in three different locations where they help prevent accidents:

  1. Mirrors in juctions or roundabouts with sharp corners can be used to see oncoming traffic.
  2. Mirrors placed near your own garage can help you when parking or leaving, ensuring that you don’t hit anything.
  3. Mirrors on poles at turns can help you see cyclists that may be in your blind spot.

Sharp Corner Mirrors

Have you ever come to a turn only to find that a hedge or another object was blocking your view of traffic? Sometimes, in an attempt to raise the aesthetic appeal of a neighbourhood, a shrub or a tree is placed in a precarious position. Instead of inching forward to see it the road is clear, a blind spot mirror can reveal when it is safe to turn.

Garage Mirrors

Drivers can sometimes be at greater risk of hitting something as they are backing up. Sometimes just backing in or out of your driveway can be difficult. Low visibility, obstructions and object that may have been left about can all create hazardous situations.  A mirror in your garage or driveway can help you see your car in relation to its surroundings from a different point of view.

If your driveway connects to a busy street, visibility becomes even more necessary. A mirror placed in your garden can show you if pedestrians, cyclists or other cars are coming as you pull into the road.

Bike Lane Mirrors

Cyclists are smaller and more manoeuvrable than other vehicles you encounter while driving. They can often be lost in blind spots if you aren’t careful. One way to increase your ability to see cyclists at junctions is a cycle safety mirror. They are mounted on traffic posts and pointed at bike lanes, so when you are turning, you can quickly check the mirror to make sure there are no oncoming cyclists.

If you are concerned about residential safety, try some of these methods or suggest them to the authorities that oversee neighbourhood traffic safety.