Inside the housing, the reflective surface is usually made from glass with a reflective coating, which can be either flat or convex. Convex mirrors provide a wider field of view, reducing blind spots. Many modern side mirrors also include features like heating elements to defrost or defog the glass and integrated turn signals for enhanced visibility.
The primary use of side mirrors is to enhance driver visibility, making it safer to change lanes, merge, and navigate through traffic. It plays a vital role in preventing accidents by allowing drivers to see vehicles or obstacles that might not be visible through the rearview mirror. Additionally, side mirrors with integrated signals improve communication with other road users, enhancing overall safety.
The side mirror is basically a convex mirror and it provides a wider field of view than a plane mirror because its curved surface allows it to reflect a larger area into a smaller image.