Yeah, I hear ya. I’m struggling with what to do. Thanks to all the members here for the opinions and options. If it was just me driving it I’d run with no mirrors. I’m obsessive about checking my blind spot over my shoulder so no real need for a mirror. However, my sisters will be carting my Dad around in the thing and they might be freaked out by the lack of mirrors. Of course, they both have a habit of knocking said mirrors off while backing out of the garage so maybe it would be good for them, and my wallet, to not have any to begin with.

 

Here is an option that will eliminate physical mirrors completely. I wonder if this is within the bounds of the law coast to coast.

 

I thought about something like that given the fact that I’m adding a rear view mirror with a backup camera, but the thing with that is that it installs fairly seamlessly using the license plate bolts and is hardly noticeable. One wire for power via the backup lights’ circuit and a ground somewhere in the frame near the license plate. Side view cameras are going to require some type of hole being drilled somewhere if you want them to actually perform their intended purpose.

 

Short answer is "No". Our code doesn't allow a driver to rely on electronic aids that can fail. If a driver fails to see, it's on said driver.

It's up to y'all to decide what you do. I was checking a link I posted earlier, I discovered it was labeled wrong though. I fixed it, but I thought I might save someone looking it up. Not arguing, just posting the info. I'm retired now, I just "watch out" for me and mine now. My best guess is that most every state has a similar statute. It has been so here since at least 1950, and was last updated in 1989. It is now in title 46.2, but when I started was in title 46.1 .... a revision retitled it in the code in 1989.

 

The way I read this, only commercial vehicles are required to have side mirrors in Georgia unless your passenger vehicle has a rear view mirror where the view is obstructed.


Universal Citation: GA Code § 40-8-72 (2014) (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, every motor vehicle which is so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear thereof from the driver's position shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.

(b) Every commercial motor vehicle shall be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors meeting the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standards contained in 49 C.F.R. 571.111 in effect at the time of manufacture, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear, along both sides of the vehicle; provided, however, that only one outside mirror shall be required, which shall be on the driver's side, on a commercial motor vehicle which is so constructed that the driver has a view to the rear by means of an interior mirror.

 

I read that. Looks like a pickup with just one inside rear view mirror might well be OK in Georgia as long as there was nothing there to in any way restrict the driver's view to the rear. Just a simple tail gate will block some of that 200 feet .... the closest part where a person/child or motor cycle or even some sports cars ....might be .... like in the Lowe's parking lot or at the traffic light ... maybe just after a driver stopped to back into a driveway even? I'm not apt to back over something 200 feet behind me.

I say all that only because my '77 is lowered a couple inches in the rear and my inside mirror is a little higher on the windshield than stock and I can see a little more of close vehicles in it ... but I loose some if close. If my utility trailer is behind me, most of it is blocked by that tailgate so I have removable poles on it to let me see where it is. I use my side mirrors then, as well as to let me know of overtaking / overtaken vehicles.

That link didn't help me, so I looked it up by the Ga. code section itself.
Georgia Code Title 40. Motor Vehicles and Traffic § 40-8-72 | FindLaw

Again, not arguing here .... just discussing.

 

Ahh, rear camera alleviates that problem with people behind you though which of course I’m concerned about. All opinions are always welcomed. Doesn’t matter if you’re arguing or not. An open forum of speech and opinions is crucial to making a correct decision. I think it was Thomas Sowell who said that denying someone the ability to speak freely causes two problems:

1. You deny a man’s right to voice thoughts that are directly linked to his well being.
2. You deny yourself the opportunity to hear a great idea that might change your mind regarding matters that affect your own well being.

Didn’t mean that to be a link. It just copied over that way. I wasn’t diligent enough with my post.

I guess I’m going to have to balance my risk. Even though it’s not illegal in Georgia, not all LEOs have a complete grasp of the law (no disrespect to you or your honorable compatiots tbear, but I’m sure you know some of the folks I’m talking about) and it might just be an excuse to pull us over. That’s a waste of everyone’s time sorting through the mess that ensues.

I have some thinking to do. Anyway, back to turning wrenches. I really need to update my build thread….

 

So let's add towing to the conversation. I sometimes pull an enclosed trailer with my 2018 F-150 4X2 LWB truck that renders my in-cab rear view mirror totally useless. I could compensate for this with a (USB maybe?) camera mounted on the rear of that trailer. Those cameras are readily available via multiple sources. I still have my physical mirrors mounted on each door of the standard cab so I'm unlikely to be ID'd as depending on a digital device and pulled over despite the fact that I am referring to that digital screen more that I am to those external mirrors.
External mirrors can also fail as a recent FTE post recounted the exploits of a "scooter" driver who, believing that he had been "brake checked" felt the need to wack a mirror on the reporting FTE member's truck. The key difference would seem to be that the LEO can discern the failed physical mirror but not a failed digital camera.

 

Unless it's a trailer queen, get mirrors. It will keep you from wrecking that truck with the good paint job.

 

Well, you jerks guilted me into installing the mirrors. Ha! In the end, it came down to not wanting to give the cops an excuse to pull us over. Even though it’s legal to not have them in Georgia there’s the very real possibility of getting stopped by someone who doesn’t know the law and then the hassle of dealing with the court and a judge who might decide that an “obstruction” to the rear view mirror is fulfilled by something dumb or arbitrary and fines us. Georgia is notorious for “revenuing” via traffic ordinances. I’ll let them get someone else.


Doesn’t look that bad I guess even if they are useless.

 

Yes those tiny mirrors barely meet the requirement to be called "mirrors". But they are on a really nice looking door.

 

They look as big as the mirrors on the USS Ford LTD that my mom floated around it. Far from worthless, almost as far from good.....

 

For better or worse, that’s what she’s getting. No disrespect to anyone, I just personally hate the big “truck style” mirrors. Rich’s suggestion was borderline for me, but I had these already so that what we’re going with. I’m at the point in the restoration where I’m getting nickled and dimed to death. I’m not spending any more if I don’t have to. Had to spend $15 just for quality hardware to get the things mounted. They only came with sheet metal screws. No thank you. Had to get stainless button heads with lock nuts and fender washers for backing plates.

 

Oh, no dissing felt here, was no skin off anything I have, was just trying to answer a question as accurately as I could. Door is pretty nice looking, love the color on the side I see. Ford Oxford White was what I went with, that looks close on my monitor. I think you'll find in traffic, that mirrors are good, and more so the older you get.

 

I've always been a fan of mirrors, or actually my dad was lol, when he was letting me drive to learn, and even after I had my license, you could turn your head to check and make sure it was clear, but when you started backing up with a trailer, don't dare turn your head to look out the back window, he'd smack you in the head and say I paid for those mirrors, you dang well better use them! Course now I can back up a trailer with only my mirrors so.. lesson learned.

Sorry, I digressed, glad you chose to put mirrors on, those look about as helpful as the tiny round ones on my 66 F100, I have them aimed so I can see the lines when I back into a parking spot, other than that they are window dressing so to say. But, they are mirrors and suffice the requirements of the law.