This thread is a joke, right? Has the concept of actually turning the head and LOOKING been completely lost? Sorry, but anyone who can't see their way around a car that's a little over 5 feet wide, and less than 9 feet long, needs to think about walking. I hear they do make little rear view mirrors for eyeglasses. Headlights also. Should solve the walking blind spot problem.
I made the mistake of bringing up this very idea on another automotive forum a few years back. I was not so politely informed by many members that it's unsafe to do such. That to not be looking forward is in and of itself a safety hazard due to the nature of traffic. I've driven in DC, LA, and many cities in between. Call me a careless, inept, and stupid driver. I still turn my head and look.
After I have gotten used to the side mirrors being adjusted outward more, my blind spots while driving are almost non existent. I always turn my head to verify an empty lane before proceeding. I am amazed how much those little mirrors can show. But I am still having blind spot problems when I go in reverse. When backing out of a parking space it is hard for me to see if anyone is coming, people or cars. I have the cabrio which has a smaller back window which doesn't help. I am used to my 4Runner with windows all the way around and extra backup mirrors in the back. I could see everything including people/cars driving by before I even backed out.
I think the problem might be a little psychological, with me still thinking that I have a large butt sticking out when backing up like I have with my 4Runner. With the Smart there is very little behind your seat and it throws your mind off. Not used to it. Plus the rear view mirror makes it look like your back end is longer than it really is. Which in a way is good. It makes the illusion you are in a bigger car than you actually are and not get claustrophobic if you are that type.
I believe with lots of practice you will instinctly overcome the blind spots and find new ways to be able to see and become more accustomed to your new smaller Smart car. The blind spots are not bad at all after time and I'm sure I will get better at verifying what is coming behind me when backing up. No one ever stops to let you back out so you have to watch out for yourself. Just go nice and slow.
I rode in a Dodge Viper once. You talk about blind spots!!! You almost drive blind with the tiny windows and tiny mirrors. The front windshield is about half the size of the Smart. With a car that powerful you need to be able to see a lot and quickly. It's scary.
I have to echo IcePlanet on the side view mirrors. In bigger cars with bigger mirrors, I used to like to be able to barely see the edge of my car in the mirror. With the smart, I eliminated the blind spots by tilting my mirrors slightly further out than I was used to. Since then, I feel I don't have any blind spots except the one I mentioned in another thread.....the one caused by the rear view mirror. It's really low, so that it's right at eye level when looking slightly towards the right. It becomes a bit annoying when turning to the right, but I'm used to it and just lean forward a bit to check things that are being blocked.
I thought the smarts blind spots were going to be a problem when I took my test drive. I'm so glad I didn't let that be a show stopper. I followed the suggestions of others on the forum and adjusted the mirrors out more. I always look over my shoulders and the check the rear view mirror. Not only do I feel the blind spots are not a problem in the smart, I think the smart has fewer bland areas than our other two cars. It's short length helps a lot.
My problem with blind spots is not during normal driving, but when backing out of a parking space. I have to turn and look, and look, and look again to be sure I'm not backing into a pedestrian. The large rear pillars, in combination with the passenger's seat, block the exact spot I need to see to ensure no one is about to walk behind me.
I'm dealing with it, but it IS the worst car I've ever owned in that regard.
My problem with blind spots is not during normal driving, but when backing out of a parking space. I have to turn and look, and look, and look again to be sure I'm not backing into a pedestrian. The large rear pillars, in combination with the passenger's seat, block the exact spot I need to see to ensure no one is about to walk behind me.
I'm dealing with it, but it IS the worst car I've ever owned in that regard.
I turn and look and back slowly. I sure have a better chance of seeing them with as short as my rear end is than if I were in a larger vehicle.
All the more reason why back into a parking space is safer.
+ 1 on the turning the head to look - I cant my mirrors outward (No Smart in the stable yet) and I also look. It has saved me a trip to the bodyshop a number of times...
I live near a park with lots of kiddies roaming around. I back out of a sloped driveway so I'm constantly worried about backing over a kid or my fearless cat who doesn't belive she actually needs to move from something as benign as a car. I'm also a little extra paranoid as I work in a peds ER and see people come in all the time who have backed over a small child they couldn't see. I solved the problem by having a backup camera installed. There's a pic in my gallery. I probably should have opened the garage door before taking the picture so the full view could be seen, but sometimes I'm not as smart as my car.
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. I too have lived in LA and made many a trip to DC and NYC in my 40+ years driving and I STILL turn my head and look 
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