Passenger-side rear-view mirrors (PRMs) have been standard equipment on motor vehicles sold in the US for many years, although they are not required by the federal motor vehicle safety standards. Numerous studies documented both the apparent need for PRMs (to overcome visual obstructions) and their apparent value (by increasing visual access to the passenger-side rear). In addition, surveys of drivers have found a general appreciation of the importance of sampling visual information from the rear. Very little can be found, however, regarding the actual safety benefit of PRMs. A review of the research literature and several initial studies (driver observation and accident-data analysis), suggest that PRMs may not be associated with any substantial accident prevention, perhaps because they are not consistently used. Implications and research directions will be discussed. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting