Abstract: A composite mirror adapted for use as an outside rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a main or primary viewing mirror and an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror juxtaposed to expose the vehicle blindzone to the vehicle operator. The main viewing mirror is generally of unit magnification. The auxiliary mirror is generally composed of a convex surface that can be either attached atop the surface of the main viewing mirror or placed within a cut-out region of the main viewing mirror. The auxiliary mirror can be partially recessed below the surface of the main viewing mirror and can have a skirt for minimizing undesirable reflections in the main viewing mirror.

Abstract: An automotive system for determining when safe lane changes may be made is provided. The system includes an automotive outside rearview mirror for mounting on a vehicle including a main viewing section and a blindzone viewing section. The main viewing section has a viewing angle such that when the entire front end of a following vehicle in an adjacent lane is visible near the outer edge of the main viewing section, the following vehicle is at a clearance distance behind the vehicle. The blindzone viewing section has a viewing angle approximately encompassing the region between the outer limit of the viewing angle of the main viewing section and the peripheral vision line of a driver looking at the outside rearview mirror. The clearance distance is judged to be a safe separation distance for changing into the adjacent lane in front of the following vehicle.