Go! Drive and Camp Camp Guide

REAR-VIEW MIRRORS

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The use of rear-view mirrors is part and parcel of towing in the same way that sunshine is synonymous with a seaside holiday. When you ride a bicyle, it may be best to keep a beady eye on the road ahead, but when you’re towing a ton behind you, you need to see what’s happening both in front and behind you. When you do the K53 test, you have to look into the mirrors after virtually every second driving action. With a large caravan or trailer of any kind, your rear-view mirror is virtually useless and your side mirrors are of little value without towing mirrors.

THIS IS A MUST

Currently, new vehicles must meet a specific standard of the SABS as far as rearview mirrors are concerned. This applies to both interior and exterior mirrors. The standard is not specific in respect of the size of the mirrors. It becomes a technical point since it is rather about what you can see behind you.

Also of importance is the measure of distortion that a rear-view mirror can cause: no rear-view mirror must change the picture drasticall­y or completely. We do know, however, that there is a warning on some mirrors stating that objects in the rear-view mirror may seem to be farther away or appear closer than they actually are from your vehicle.

Modern mirrors – so-called blind-spot mirrors – take things a step further with regard to rearward visibility by showing a section that isn’t normally in view.

K53 ANTICS

The K53 test involves dozens of “observatio­ns” that require you to keep an eye on the rear-view mirrors all the time. You are required to fully adjust the rear-view mirrors before you drive away. Once you’re on your way, you have to look in the mirrors every five to eight seconds.

Furthermor­e, you have to look in the rear-view mirrors before performing any action, such as gearing down, stopping in traffic, parking or driving through an intersecti­on. The use of mirrors is a critical part

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