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A study is being conducted to investigate the effects of driver’s side rearview mirror types (either flat or nonplanar mirrors) on driver behavior. The study consists of a survey of mirror characteristics, interviews and questionnaires and a field experiment. The present paper gives the results of the first phase of exploratory interviews. A structured list of questions was used to gather extensive information on mirror use habits, on problems drivers have experienced, on their awareness of mirror characteristics and on background variables. The 47 respondents were categorized by age group (younger / older drivers) and driver’s side mirror type (flat, convex, aspherical). The results of this exploratory phase serve as a basis for a revised questionnaire to be used for a large sample of drivers.

In 1993 new European legislation regarding side-markers for passenger cars became effective. Volvo requested the TNO-Human Factors Research Institute (HFRI) to investigate the possible safety benefit of this European side-markers configuration. A test panel at TNO- HFRI was used to determine the difference in response time and detection error of drivers, confronted with slides of vehicles with and without the mentioned new vehicle side-marker configuration in several visibility conditions, crossing illumination and different vehicle approach angles. The investigation showed a significant faster vehicle recognition with less detection errors in case the approaching car was equipped with the bright amber side-markers. This improved vehicle conspicuity can be a benefit in crash avoidance, especially when the driver approaches a crossing with complex light environment and reduced visibility.