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Huge Mirrors on Trucks

 All trucks should have huge mirror contraptions that allow people behind them to see what's in front of them
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Trying to pass a huge truck or tractor on a one-lane highway is frustrating, especially since you have to get all the way in the opposite lane to see around them and determine if there's room to pass. These trucks should have periscope-like mirror devices attatched to the pack that allow people to see over them and tell what's in front of them. By watching the huge mirror on the back of the truck that tilts toward another mirror on the top that looks over the truck, drivers behind can tell just when to pass. Using an open periscope-like contraption like this, such a device could also be attached to vans and such while still allowing them to look through their back windows to see behind them. Maybe all cars could be fitted with such things.
—smizzou, Aug 01 2001

Car periscope http://www.halfbake...dea/Car_20periscope
Let's bang my gong as well, while we're at it... the Car Periscope could easily be of some assistance here. [PotatoStew, Aug 01 2001, last modified Oct 17 2004]


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Annotation:







       A video camera in the cab that feeds a display on the back of the truck would save more than its cost in reduced fuel consumption (as compared to the mirrors).
—beauxeault, Aug 01 2001
   

       what the f***? You're all mad!
—Mayfly, Aug 02 2001
   

       How about trucks with huge wheels so they have about 3 meters of ground clearance and passenger cars don't have to pass at all, they just zip underneath?
—Dog Ed, Aug 02 2001
   

       or with a sloping back,right down to the ground,so you can drive up and look from a high vantage point
—technobadger, Aug 02 2001
   

       Dog Ed: Brilliant!   

       See the car periscope link for another device that could be used to mitigate this problem.
—PotatoStew, Aug 03 2001
   

       Most people probably wouldn't be able to handle that volume of visual information while driving.Can you imagine watching the road, while watching a large screen video of the road from the vehicle in front's perspective while about to execute a tricky overtaking manoeuvre. I would almost certainly crash messily.
—stupop, Aug 03 2001
   

       Ah! That's the way to go, waugsqueke. I had forgotten about that. It's definitely more pleasant to drive separate from the big rigs. That concept is probably the one and only nice part about driving in Jersey. Everything else about their roadways makes me avoid the state whenever possible. You know something is wrong when the only ways they can get people to stay are to make the roads confusing, and then charge money to leave the state.
—PotatoStew, Aug 03 2001
   

       How about a video camera on the front of the truck that sends a signal to lcd panels in people's cars. Bluetoothe, perhaps?
—EvoketheTiger, Aug 03 2001
   

       [ Most people probably wouldn't be able to handle that volume of visual information while driving. Can you imagine watching the road, while watching a large screen video of the road from the vehicle in front's perspective while about to execute a tricky overtaking manoeuvre. I would almost certainly crash messily. ]   

       I know that when I'm following a chrome tanker-truck, which is like following a gigantic mirror, I tend to get somewhat disoriented. I prefer to pass those as quickly as possible. Don't think a mirror on a truck would help any.
—arghblah, Oct 31 2001
   

       I am a proffesional trucker that hauls hauls super b trains of petroleum gas throughout british columbia canada and im sick and tired of you (4 wheelers)constantly cutting in front of us truckers.Try and stop a truck on a dime with 140,000 pounds gross weight at any speed takes an enormous amount of force.Have some consideration for the working man that moves the earth.Have respect because most proffesional drivers respect you to on the road as we all share it....the next time you see a big rig moving down the road...DO NOT CUT US OFF...that may be the last day on earth for you.
—ProTrucker, Mar 22 2002
   

       Ah, you wanna give me a 10-9 on that, Pig Pen? Negatory, Pig Pen; you're still too close. Yeah, them hogs is startin' to close up my sinuses. Mercy sakes, you better back off another ten.
—po, Mar 22 2002
   


 

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