to be reluctant to drive this journey without a mirror?

[nomirror]

A couple of weeks ago, the nearside wing mirror (just the glass part) fell off my car whilst driving. I did pull up as soon as I could and walk back to look for it but couldn't see it, it's possible it had smashed and shattered when it fell off. The mirror was one that had apparently been stuck on by previous owner and had come loose. These things happen.

I went online to order one - due to the age of my car it wasn't available from any local retailer unless I bought another stick on one (my car actually has heated mirrors, so it makes sense to buy a proper replacement with the backing plate so the heat sensor will work - it doesn't work on the current one as the backing plate is covered in double sided tape and adhesive). Annoyingly delivery for the mirror and plate was either unspecified, or 21-28 days. So I put in the order for the one with the delivery date.

In the meantime I've been driving my usual local journeys to shops etc, as there are perfectly manageable with just rearview and offside mirror.

However next week I am due to do a 4 hour motorway journey, and I am reluctant to do this without my nearside mirror. I'll be on the M1 and M25, lots of changing lanes etc and I completely rely on both wing mirrors. DP rather scoffed at this and said (as he often does in driving, having had a licence for 20 years longer than me) oh you'll be fine. But I simply don't feel confident to do it.

Is that being wimpy of me? OR am I right to be cautious? The earliest date for the mirror to be delivered is Monday, and I'm due to travel on Weds so I'm hoping it should be here, but it's possible it might not. My back up plan - which will be annoying if I have to do it - is to spend another £10-12 (in addition to the £20 for the one on order) for a stick on one from Halfords but I am slightly annoyed at the double expense! Which again DP says is not needed as I can drive without it - whereas I think yes I can drive without it, but I can't confidently drive without it on a motorway!

I’ve been driving well over 15 years, so a lot more than some and a less than others. I drive all over quite happily, all different cars etc. Get the intermediate mirror. If you’re a decent and confident driver it’ll just make you more so, and safer too.

Not having a driver's side mirror will fail an MOT so that would suggest they're pretty bloody essential (I'm almost certain as well that is the only mirror required by law as long as you've got that plus one other but I can't find a good source).

I'd definitely not be on the motorway without a full compliment of mirrors and I wouldn't be bothered one bit who knew it! It's hard enough towing stall trailer with just the side mirrors but I will do that as of course you can. I couldn't entertain not having the use of the driver's side one especially for the sake of £10.

@Heyha

Not having a driver's side mirror will fail an MOT so that would suggest they're pretty bloody essential (I'm almost certain as well that is the only mirror required by law as long as you've got that plus one other but I can't find a good source).

I'd definitely not be on the motorway without a full compliment of mirrors and I wouldn't be bothered one bit who knew it! It's hard enough towing stall trailer with just the side mirrors but I will do that as of course you can. I couldn't entertain not having the use of the driver's side one especially for the sake of £10.

It's the passenger side that's broken. Not the driver's

Oh 🤦 that will teach me to skim read 😂

I'd be slightly less worried then in that case but yes I'd still pay out the £10 for peace of mind. And still not care what DH thought!

Off to have a word with myself about proofreading now....

Both my wing mirrors have had to be replaced with stick on ones from Halfords, I can't get the exact ones due to weird anomaly with my car model. I traced round the bit where the mirror goes and was able to get close approximations from a different make and model of car from Halfords - they have now lasted several years.
You don't have to have a nearside mirror (my car passed an MOT without one) but for the sake of £10 just get a stick on one for now and replace properly as and when, if you really need to.

Pay the £10 and stop worrying. If your DH kicks up tell him that your safety and peace of mind is worth more than £10

The idea that even one person would think that driving without these mirrors is reasonable is jaw-dropping to me.

Yanbu - you need both mirrors to safely change lanes on a motorway. Unless you resolve to do the whole journey in the leftmost lane, as slow as the vehicle in front the whole way.

I agree with the point upthread that local driving is more dangerous than motorway driving.

The thing about motorway driving is that percentage-wise, you get fewer accidents than on local roads, so in that sense they are safer. However, due to speeds and stopping distances, when an accident occurs it is always worse and invariably involves more vehicles. Local journeys are inherently more risky due to the unpredictability and often random way people drive. Plus people are far more complacent and take more risks because they think they know the road well as they do the journey most days.

Your DH is being unreasonable telling you to "man up" (hello mysoginism, how ya doing!), equating the desire to drive safely has nothing to do with manning up and everything to do with being a good safe and considerate driver, and recognising cars are killer machines in the hands of a complacent person.

I dont get why you just haven't bought it for £10 already.

It's £10, it would make the total cost of a mirror £30 (still reasonable), it would have made your life easier for the month, and you would be safer for you and everyone around you. It's an absolute no brainer. And, I'm sorry to say, if people say you might not be able to afford £10, then you can't afford to be running a car safely. It's a maintenance cost.

I personally wouldn't dream of driving a car on a motorway without both wing mirrors. I have lost the front mirror before and had to manage the rest of the journey without it, but I think side mirrors are essential.

It’s a tenner op

Probably less than what you’ll spend in food on your journey 🙄

Stick your hand in your pocket and stop being so stingy