Can you drive without a back mirror?

Is it Illegal to Drive Without a Rear View Mirror?

Now, some people give these guidelines a miss such as driving without buckling the seatbelt or never fixing the bumper or leaving the broken rearview mirror as it is. Each of these can lead to dangerous situations. Plus, we have laws that forbid us to be so careless. One common question is whether it is illegal to drive without a rearview mirror.

The law is different in different countries and states. So, there may not be a definite answer to the question,

Is it illegal to drive without a rearview mirror?

Going by consensus though, we have deduced that it is not illegal if you have the other mirrors intact. If you notice, you have two side mirrors and a rearview mirror in each car. That’s a total of three mirrors. If any two of these are perfect, the law is on your side.

But, just because it is legal, doesn’t mean you take it for granted. Your focus should be on safety because we all know how tragic road accidents can be. It is very important to be able to see behind you and on your sides when you are driving. It gives you a sense of the road and navigation is easier. Side and rearview mirrors facilitate just that. If we do not have them or if they are damaged, our vision is compromised, and we automatically endanger ourselves and the others riding with us. If your rear view mirror is damaged, then use some quality glue and repair them. Is it worth it, really? We don’t think so.

Always drive with a rear view mirror

Things like mirrors and seatbelts seem very trivial unless something bad happens. Why wait for something bad to happen though? Why shouldn’t we be careful right from the start and ensure that our car is not just amazing but also safe? Think about it!

In order to drive safely, you must be able to see what’s behind and beside you. With side and rear-view mirrors on your vehicle, you have a good visual range while driving. But what happens if you have a broken mirror or a mirror is missing from your vehicle? Can you still legally drive?

Legal requirements for mirrors

The laws governing vehicle mirrors vary by state. Most states do require at least two mirrors that allow you to see behind you. If that’s true for your state, you can legally drive the vehicle as long as two of your three mirrors are intact. While it may not be illegal, a police officer can still pull you over if they notice you have a broken or missing mirror.

While you can legally drive a car with two mirrors, can you do so safely? It depends on which mirrors are intact. It’s hard, for example, to get a view of the traffic on the passenger side of the car from the driver’s side with no side-view mirror.

What car mirrors do for you 

Each of your vehicle’s mirrors serves to keep you safe by allowing you to see what’s behind you or on either side of you while you drive. There’s a reason the law requires them. The views they provide help you avoid any potential accidents.

Rear-view mirrors

The rear-view mirror is an adjustable convex mirror designed to let you see through the rear window of your vehicle. They are typically affixed inside the front windshield. They often feature day and night positions to cut the glare of bright headlights at night that can impede your vision. They allow you to see what’s behind you while keeping your attention on the road.

Side-view mirrors

Side-view mirrors are outside of the car, attached to the driver and passenger doors. These mirrors are vital in helping drivers see what’s behind and beside them as well as what’s beyond the driver’s peripheral vision. They can also help view what’s in blind spots.

These mirrors are adjustable, and many side mirrors are power mirrors. You can adjust power mirrors easily using a simple electronic switch. The side mirrors are far more likely to sustain damage, loosen, or accidentally break off the car over time.

Why it’s important to replace missing or broken mirrors

While you can drive with a broken or missing mirror, it doesn’t mean you should. Without all three mirrors in place and in good condition, you’re not as safe while you drive. The side mirrors are most valuable because they show what’s behind your vehicle as well as what’s on either side.

To be as safe as possible, repair or replace missing or broken mirrors ASAP. In many cases, the repair is simple. If just the glass is broken or missing, the replacement can be done quickly at a reasonable price. If the actual housing on a side-view mirror breaks, or the entire power window unit must be replaced, the repair may take more time and cost more. But it’s definitely worth the effort and expense.

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