Trucks ofter have signs on their backs that says"If you cant see my mirrors, I cant see you."?

Question

Explain the physics here.

Answer 1

of course...if you cant see the mirror..how is the driver suppose to see you looking at the mirror watching you.

Answer 2

If you can't see the driver of the truck in his/her mirror,   they can't see you.  

As an experiment,  stand  at the front corner of a house or building and try to see what is halfway to the far side of the back yard.    This is the effect a truck driver has to conquer to see someone close up to the back of the trailer.  The trailer blocks the view just as the house blocks your view.     Sorry,  but the line of sight doesn't do corners.

Answer 3

Light travels in a straight line.  So does reflected light.

So, if you can't see the driver's mirrors, he cannot see you, either, and that means that you are probably in the truck driver's "blind" spot.  If he does not know you are there, when he looks to change lanes or make a turn, there is a good chance that is multi ton vehicle will try to occupy the same space as your two ton car.

In a collision, mass determines who "wins."

Answer 4

even if you can see the mirror, it could still be pointed away from where you are if you're in his blind spot along side.

If you can see his face in his mirror, he can see you.

Answer 5

You are in his blind spot...

Answer 6

it means that if you can't see the revision mirrors on the side of the truck then it means that the truck driver can't see you.

Answer 7

As truck width is bigger than your car, so if car is at center back of truck then truck cant see you and from center back to truck you also cant see any of the side view mirror.

If you wish to be seen by truck who is in front of you, steer lil towards extreme right or left so that you can see his side view mirror. If you can see his side viw mirror then that means he can also see you.

Answer 8

Anywhere where you can't see their mirrors is a blind spot for them. They can't see you at all when you're in such a position.

Answer 9

you see them where they see you

Answer 10

The physics of it is that light travels in straight lines.

Answer 11

Since large trucks usually tow a trailer of some sort they cannot see behind them like a car can. The vision to the rear depends solely on the side mirrors, and if you cant see the mirror, the mirror and the person looking at it cannot see you.

Answer 12

For the most part that statement is true. If you can not see my mirrors than I can not see you. However, if a truck does not have hood mirrors there are more blind spots along side the truck, even though you can see their mirrors they can not see you.

So, if you are directly behind my trailer and I can't see you in my mirrors and I go to back up guess what I'm gonna back over the hood of your car. While most drivers get out and check to see what is behind them (physically get out and look) you still have some morons that don't.