Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a)
Inside rear-view mirror. Each passenger car shall have an inside rear-view
mirror of unit magnification.
(1) Field of
view. Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section, the mirror shall
provide a field of view with an included horizontal angle measured from the
projected eye point of at least 20 degrees, and sufficient vertical angle to
provide a view of a level road service extending to the horizon beginning at a
point not greater than 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is
occupied by the driver and four passengers or the designed occupant weight of
150 pounds. The line of sight may be partially obscured by seated occupants or
by head restraints.
(2) Mounting.
The passenger car mirror mounting shall provide a stable support for the
mirror, and shall provide for mirror adjustment by tilting in both horizontal
and vertical directions. If the mirror is in the head impact area, the mounting
shall deflect, collapse, or break away without leaving sharp edges when the
mirror is subjected to a force of 90 pounds in a forward or sideward direction
in any plane 45 degrees above or below the horizontal.
(b) Outside rear-view mirror--driver's side.
(1) Field of view. Each passenger car shall
have an outside mirror of unit magnification. The mirror shall provide the
driver a view of a level road surface extending to the horizon from a line,
perpendicular to a longitudinal plane tangent to the driver's side of the
vehicle at the widest point, extending eight feet out from the tangent plane 35
feet behind the driver's eyes, with the seat in the rearmost position. The line
of sight may be partially obscured by rear body or fender contours.
(2) Mounting. The mirror mounting shall
provide a stable support for the mirror, and neither the mirror nor the
mounting shall protrude farther than the widest part of the vehicle body except
to the extent necessary to produce a field of view meeting or exceeding the
requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision. The mirror shall not be
obscured by the unwiped portion of the windshield, and shall be adjustable by
tilting in both horizontal and vertical directions from the driver's seated
position. The mirror and mounting shall be free of sharp points or edges that
could contribute to pedestrian injury.
(c) Outside rear-view mirror passenger's
side. Each passenger car whose inside rear-view mirror does not meet the field
of view requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall have an outside
rear-view mirror of unit magnification installed on the passenger's side. The
mirror mounting shall provide a stable support and be free of sharp points or
edges that could contribute to pedestrian injury. The mirror need not be
adjustable from the driver's seat but shall be capable of adjustment by tilting
in both horizontal and vertical directions.
