Cars operating on public roadways, boulevards and major highways must have the required safety and warning equipment. Side mirrors are considered essential safety accessories.
Side mirrors incorporated with good driving practices provide the driver with a clear view of the surrounding traffic. The correct procedure for merging into traffic or changing lanes is to signal, check the side mirror, look over the shoulder and go when it's clear.
Driving a car without side mirrors is a danger to the driver, as well as other vehicles and drivers. The absence of side mirrors could lead to an accident resulting from an unsafe lane change or merge.
A driver can be cited for driving a car without a side mirror. This is known as an equipment violation, which is often referred to as a "fix-it" ticket. The driver must make the correction and receive approval from the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Many localities have regulations that discourage dealers from selling any vehicle without the required safety equipment in place and functioning properly. This includes side view mirrors.
Having a side mirror is not compliance in itself. The mirror must afford the driver a clear view of that section of the roadway that side mirrors reveal.
