Blind spots of trucks are a very often discussed problem. The usual way to reduce blind spots is to use a mirror. The new mirror regulation 2003/97/EC is improving the visible areas around a truck. The new trucks in Europe are equipped with mirrors which have to fulfil the new mirror regulation. This is the current technical situation. But how do the driver use these mirrors? What do they know about the new mirror systems? Do the driver know how to adjust the mirrors to provide the best view?
This paper will provide an overview about the mirror-related knowledge of German truck drivers and, subject to the type of mirror system mounted, how they are adjusted and used.
That is followed by the presentation of a solution to an old problem: so far there is no system which shows the driver of a truck whether his mirrors are adjusted in the right way or not. An idea coming from the Netherlands was to use markings painted on the ground to help the truck drivers to adjust their mirrors. This idea was improved by Daimler, MAN and DEKRA and is now offered e.g. to fleet operators to help their drivers.
Furthermore the remaining part is about how drivers use there mirrors on the road in different traffic situations.