Mirror indicator distraction.

[DaevM]

Does anyone else find the indicator lights that wrap around the outside edge of the mirrors a distraction?.
I do, especially at night on unlit multi lane roads. Moving from the outside lane to the nearside lane, indicating, looking across to make sure the nearside lane is as clear as I thought it was, only to see a bright indicator light and nothing else because it's dark remember. Just for a split second I think I'm about to pull into something I hadn't noticed. Not so bad on the offside but nearside gets me everytime.
Tippex, duct tape ...?

 

[Lanster27]

I think if it bothers you, you can try to remove the bulb. Should be doable since those need to be replaced when broken. Would look better than a duct tape over it, if you ask me.

 

[siteguru]

They've never bothered me. ?‍

 

[Kithmo]

I think if it bothers you, you can try to remove the bulb. Should be doable since those need to be replaced when broken. Would look better than a duct tape over it, if you ask me.

It's not mentioned in the manual and it says bulbs not mentioned are LED and cannot be changed.

 

[JonnyG]

Please don't take this wrong way (just trying to be helpful !!) but most driving instructors and literature advise :

"Mirror - Signal - Manoeuvre", in that order. That should solve your problem ?

 

[DaevM]

Please don't take this wrong way (just trying to be helpful !!) but most driving instructors and literature advise :

"Mirror - Signal - Manoeuvre", in that order. That should solve your problem ?

No probs, this is in addition to all that. One final over the shoulder check into the area I'm about to manoeuvre into, just to make sure I haven't missed anything. Probably a left over from my motorcycling days. Has paid dividends over the years with the odd unexpected manifestation ??

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Does anyone else find the indicator lights that wrap around the outside edge of the mirrors a distraction?.
I do, especially at night on unlit multi lane roads. Moving from the outside lane to the nearside lane, indicating, looking across to make sure the nearside lane is as clear as I thought it was, only to see a bright indicator light and nothing else because it's dark remember. Just for a split second I think I'm about to pull into something I hadn't noticed. Not so bad on the offside but nearside gets me everytime.
Tippex, duct tape ...?

Black electrical tape, won't last forever, but mines done 7 months, not totally opaque so you can still see the indicator working.

 

[DaevM]

Black electrical tape , won't last forever , but mines done 7 months , not totally opaque so you can still see the indicator working.

Gotta admit, it is the intensity of the brightness in unlit scenarios that does it.
Just toning it down a bit might help ?

 

[DixieTGS]

Also make sure it can still be seen from any car on that side so it still works for safety and MOTs.

 

[Torryhun]

Please don't take this wrong way (just trying to be helpful !!) but most driving instructors and literature advise :

"Mirror - Signal - Manoeuvre", in that order. That should solve your problem ?

Yes, the mirror part of this process is rear view mirror not wing mirror

 

[Ian Key]

Please don't take this wrong way (just trying to be helpful !!) but most driving instructors and literature advise :

"Mirror - Signal - Manoeuvre", in that order. That should solve your problem ?

An alternative to Mirror Signal Manoeuvrer is Can My Safety Be Given Away

Course: look ahead for a safe and legal path and an appropriate speed
Mirrors: look behind and in your blind spots to understand where other road users are around you, including pedestrians
Signal: signal for at least three seconds if you are going to change your position (changing lanes, stopping, turning into another road)
Brakes: slow down so that you can give way if required
Gears: change gear if necessary so you can accelerate if required
When it’s safe:
Accelerate: match your speed to that of the traffic, or if you are overtaking, to an appropriate speed to complete the manoeuvre.

This was drilled into me 33 years ago ?

 

[Adam C]

Does anyone else find the indicator lights that wrap around the outside edge of the mirrors a distraction?.
I do, especially at night on unlit multi lane roads. Moving from the outside lane to the nearside lane, indicating, looking across to make sure the nearside lane is as clear as I thought it was, only to see a bright indicator light and nothing else because it's dark remember. Just for a split second I think I'm about to pull into something I hadn't noticed. Not so bad on the offside but nearside gets me everytime.
Tippex, duct tape ...?

I don’t think it’s the greatest idea to be able to see the light directly with your eyes & like you said, it’s quite intense especially at night.

My previous car had light indicators on the mirrors but you couldn’t see them directly, they were around the back so didn’t give you memories of the rave scene back in the 1990s.

I personally find the blind spot light in the mirror quite bright. Obviously a good safety measure but could be toned down a bit. Plus I’ve read ( not just on this forum ) when the blind spot comes on cars near you can mistake it for an indicator. Got to be honest, first week or so owning the car I did mistake the warning light, thought I’d hit the indicator by mistake ?

 

[Ian Key]

The other option is pretend to be a BMW driver and don't indicate

 

[DaevM]

I don’t think it’s the greatest idea to be able to see the light directly with your eyes & like you said, it’s quite intense especially at night.

My previous car had light indicators on the mirrors but you couldn’t see them directly, they were around the back so didn’t give you memories of the rave scene back in the 1990s.

I personally find the blind spot light in the mirror quite bright. Obviously a good safety measure but could be toned down a bit. Plus I’ve read ( not just on this forum ) when the blind spot comes on cars near you can mistake it for an indicator. Got to be honest, first week or so owning the car I did mistake the warning light, thought I’d hit the indicator by mistake ?

Blind spot light?? ? ( oh dear... I want me 70s beetle back )

 

[Kithmo]

Maybe a dab of gloss black touch up paint on it for a more permanent job ?

 

[siteguru]

Yes,the mirror part of this process is rear view mirror not wing mirror

I suspect you'll find that it is the relevant mirror(s), not necessarily just the RV mirror.

 

[Rolfe]

I've just not noticed this as a problem. Driving in the dark on the M74 last night I made a point of looking to see if the lights were actually working and they are. I just don't register them.

 

[Torryhun]

I've just not noticed this as a problem. Driving in the dark on the M74 last night I made a point of looking to see if the lights were actually working and they are. I just don't register them.

I agree with that, when you are maneuvering there's more to be concentrating on than a tiny piece of indicator.

 

[DaevM]

I've just not noticed this as a problem. Driving in the dark on the M74 last night I made a point of looking to see if the lights were actually working and they are. I just don't register them.

I was once diagnosed about 20 years ago as being glare disabled by specsavers. I didn't query it at the time but did after and could never find anything about it anywhere, not even with specsavers!! My son, being a bit of a wag kept glaring at me in the hope my legs'd give out and I'd collapse ( never did). I'm crap with glare from oncoming headlights and have special nighttime lenses which help a lot, so it could be I'm just overly sensitive. One of the problems with the specs is they are a similar colour to indicators and the indicators that are integrated into the headlamp units can totally disappear ?. I had more than one close call before I realised what was occurring. Now I always hesitate briefly if I believe someone isn't indicating before making a judgement call, at night wearing these particular specs. ?

 

[DaevM]

I agree with that, when you are maneuvering there's more to be concentrating on than a tiny piece of indicator.

Not concentrating on it, just the only thing to be seen when glancing to the left in pitch dark - not a lot of option.