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> The whole time that a driver is checking their mirror(s) to look behind them, attempting to ward off a crash that they cannot actually control I didn't sugge
by gnicholas 2y ago
> The whole time that a driver is checking their mirror(s) to look behind them, attempting to ward off a crash that they cannot actually control
I didn't suggest that someone drive around with their eyes on their mirror the whole time. I only pointed out that before hard braking, I will check my mirror at the same time. If a kid ran into the street, I'd brake hard regardless since the consequence of a forward collision is terrible.
You'll notice the scenario I described above, which is much more common than kids running into the street, is a light turning yellow. Your hypo with stylized answer choices is one that anyone would pass with flying colors, and it's disingenuous to suggest that someone posing my question would "look around, check mirrors, and spend some time attempting to triage".
If someone poses a common dilemma with a balancing of harms, it's facile to respond with a clear-cut hypo and then make it sound like the person wouldn't know what to do in that circumstance.
- ssl-3 2y agoThe decision of whether to proceed through a yellow light or whether to stop also has nothing to do with whatever may or may not be seen in the rearview mirror. I mean: A driver is approaching an intersection with a yellow light, indicating that it is about to change state. Should the driver: A) Look where they're going B) Look somewhere else entirely
- toast0 2y agoSure, if you approach an intersection with a yellow light, you should stop. However, the situation is you approach an intersection with a green light, and then it turns yellow. You should stop, if you have enough room to stop and it is safe to do so. If the vehicle behind you is unlikely to stop, it is not safe to stop. You can't tell if the vehicle behind you is likely to stop by looking ahead of you. At the same time, I'm assuming it's safe to proceed through the intersection given the light was recently green. If it's not safe to proceed, you should not proceed regardless of the light. Driving with other road users is all about considering the likely actions of other road users, observing and reacting. Sometimes that means you need to look in multiple directions.
- ssl-3 2y agoOur traffic rules are set by laws. There is no law requiring a driver to check their mirrors before stopping for a traffic signal. Meanwhile: There are many, many laws requiring a driver to not run into the car that is in front of them, and requiring them to avoid doing things like tailgating that increase the risk of this happening.
- gnicholas 2y ago> There is no law requiring a driver to check their mirrors before stopping for a traffic signal. There are plenty of things that are not required by law that are nonetheless a good idea. Also, no one (other than you) ever said anything about checking multiple "mirrors". I referred to checking your mirror (singular), which was a reference to the windshield-mounted rear view mirror. There would be no reason to check the side view mirrors, which wouldn't tell me anything about whether it's safe to stop.
- gnicholas 2y agoWho said anything about looking somewhere else entirely? My rear-view mirror is in right in front of my windshield. Also, I've been looking straight forward for the last while so I know what's there. It's also unlikely that it's not clear in front of me, since the light has been green. Checking to see what's going on behind me is to make sure I'm not going to be rear-ended (and has saved me from being hit at least a few times in the last decade). Would I have been in the right to hit the brakes, oblivious to my surroundings? Perhaps. But I still would have been hit, and my kids might have been mortally injured in the back seat. So yeah, I'll keep checking my mirror when a stale green turns yellow as I'm approaching.
- ssl-3 2y agoIf you can actually see both views at once (things in the mirror, and things ahead), then why aren't you looking at both of them concurrently all of the time? Why ever deviate your gaze?
- gnicholas 2y agoI can take in the scene in front of me with my parafoveal and peripheral vision while looking at the mirror with my foveal vision. It doesn't work the other way around, as anyone who has ever driven would know. That's like asking why I can't read a book while gazing ahead as I'm walking, since I can easily do the reverse (walk while gazing down at a book). Seems like you're just here to stir things up, so I'll leave you alone with your thoughts!
- ssl-3 2y agoCarry on, then, dear sir: Clearly, this is all sorted for you, including the tailgating you defend in LA. Best wishes. Try not to kill anyone.