BusTalk

[UTC Bus Fan]

I have noticed, as well as remember back then, that most Old Look Buses had no Right Side Mirror. Being an old trucker, I leraned early on how important mirrors are. I even went as far as adding a convex mirror to my '71 GMC 9500 back in the 70's. Even today, I have to have a right side mirror on my old pick-ups. I feel "lost" without one. I'm wondering how bus drivers in the old look days managed without having one. Especially so in big cities that had 3 or 4 lanes going one way. Maybe a good question for Mr L.

Bill

[Mr. Linsky]

Bill,

I guess it's all a matter of opinion because, in my case, I use the right side mirror rarely and usually only to check the curb while parking.

I find it more dangerous to take my eyes away from the road to focus on the mirror than to quickly turn my head enough to see a much bigger and better picture.

Certainly in over the road operation of a large bus in which you change lanes constantly the right side mirror is vital but in city transit stop and go driving you're never usually more than a parked cars length away from the curb and you get a feel for what the first car parked behind a bus stop is up to as you pull in.

What helped us too years ago was our inside rear view mirror which was useless for looking through the rear windows but, angled in the right direction, could give us some idea of what was on the right.

In that sense, the low floor buses of today must be a lot easier to drive.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

[Rt4957]

With the Animals driving on the road today,,the right side mirror AND camera is truly a must.
People try to squeeze in if you leave them 1/4 of an inch,,just to get ahead of you and be "First".

There was more respect back then I`m sure,,and most people respected laws and common sense.

Nowadays if you try to snuggle over to a lane even if you have a big enough hole to do so,,You occasionally get a view of someones longest digit,,sometimes with a verbal conformation.

Rt4957