[mrmadcats]

My wing-mirror got hit this morning, while I was parked outside. A few weeks back, a motorbike crashed into my van (and he wasn't insured, so I got nothing). Until I get a driveway built, I'm a target.

Is there any legal way to protect myself? Perhaps putting something sacrificial behind, or on , my vehicle? Since my wing-mirror only folds back partially, it still sticks out. What if I had a some sort of mirror-cover? Has anyone ever seen this sort of thing attempted?
Any replies welcome.

[Snowball]

Understand what you mean. My mirros only fold partly inwards, and the protruding difference is negligible.

Concerning the idea of putting some form of protective cover on the mirror, I think it would be a matter needing careful consideration.
If it is a soft cover, it may not prevent damage, but if it hooked onto a motorcyclists machine and could be reasonably said to have fetched him off the bike, you could be in a serious situation.
If the cover was hard, and had definite articulated edges (notice that vehicle mirrors have contoured bodies that are unlikely to inflict injury), then if it could be claimed to have caused injury, again you are on dangerous ground.

Without contravening parking laws, I would try to angle the vehicle slightly, so that the mirror itself is not to most prominent part of the vehicle.

[saloon drifter]

I pass a car nearly every day and for years she has had a yellow cover over her mirror which makes it very visible, it is on a busy road and i have never seen it damaged so it must be working, but now she has a new Golf i don't know why she just doesn't fold it in.

[Snowball]

Originally Posted by saloon drifter

I pass a car nearly every day and for years she has had a yellow cover over her mirror which makes it very visible, it is on a busy road and i have never seen it damaged so it must be working, but now she has a new Golf i don't know why she just doesn't fold it in.

Having a distictive (yellow) cover may help by making the mirror more noticeable.

Regarding folding in the mirror, if it is anything like those on my Touran (also a VW), the difference in the amount the mirror protrudes is vitually unchanged. I think the only advantage of having the flexible link is that, in the event of it being struck, for example by the mirror of a passing vehicle, that flexibility may reduce the damage.

[mrmadcats]

I wonder if the mirror itself tends to camouflage itself, by reflecting an indistinctive image? Maybe a simple hi-visibility cover would make all the difference.

[Mywheels23]

@mrmadcats

I've seen several devices near me.
They are neon yellow and reflective. They fit between the driver's door and wing, and stick out about 8".
They are flexible and are fitted after you have parked up.
They catch your eye well before you reach the car, so you will hopefully steer away from the car more. They show up well at nighttime.
Before anyone asks, you don't drive with it on!

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Mywheels23

@mrmadcats

I've seen several devices near me.
They are neon yellow and reflective. They fit between the driver's door and wing, and stick out about 8".
They are flexible and are fitted after you have parked up.
They catch your eye well before you reach the car, so you will hopefully steer away from the car more. They show up well at nighttime.
Before anyone asks, you don't drive with it on!

I'm sure the OP will be pleased to read this, seventeen years after he asked the question.

[Mywheels23]

Or just maybe it's to help someone now, as the original post is still viewable. Have you thought of that!