Do cars in India have rearview mirrors?
2 Answers
India does not have rearview mirrors. The reason why Indian cars do not have rearview mirrors is that many roads in India operate as dual carriageways, and driving speeds are generally slow due to the high population density. Many roads are crowded with street vendors, making traffic extremely congested. Rearview mirrors could hinder normal driving, so they have been removed. Rearview mirrors are tools that allow drivers to directly obtain external information about the rear, sides, and lower parts of the vehicle while seated in the driver's seat. They are designed for the convenience of the driver, to prevent traffic accidents, and to ensure personal safety. Most countries mandate the installation of rearview mirrors on vehicles, and all mirrors must be adjustable in direction.
I noticed this issue when I was self-driving in India. Indian law requires all vehicles to have rearview mirrors installed, but exceptions are often seen in old town areas. For instance, many drivers of Mumbai's auto rickshaws remove the right mirror for convenience since the streets are too narrow and prone to scratches. It's even more common with motorcycles – lots of riders keep only the left mirror. I remember once during a traffic jam in Jaipur, the truck in front of me had just the metal frame left of its mirror. Rental cars from正规 agencies come fully equipped, but private vehicles often suffer from poor maintenance. This is actually quite dangerous – changing lanes or overtaking without mirrors relies purely on instinct, especially in India's mixed traffic conditions. I'd recommend tourists to always check this feature when renting a car.
