An FMVSS 111 Compliant Driver's Side Mirror Incorporating a Blind Zone Viewing Section

This paper describes a driver's side outside rearview mirror that combines a spherically convex blind zone mirror with a planar main viewing mirror in such a manner as to comply with FMVSS 111. It is shown that a mirror of this type can potentially reduce lane change type accidents, and the costs associated with failing to provide such a mirror are estimated. The limitations and effects imposed by FMVSS 111 are discussed. The blind zone is defined in terms of the driver, the vehicle and the highway. A mirror performance specification is presented that defines what a blind zone mirror must show to the driver to be classified as a true blind zone mirror. Various ways of implementing the combination mirror are described. Also, the performance of this mirror arrangement is compared to the aspheric outside mirror.