What type of mirrors are used to monitor traffic and clearances on the sides and to the rear of the bus?

The use of left and right flat mirrors is crucial for a bus driver to effectively monitor traffic and clearances on both sides and at the rear of the bus. Flat mirrors provide a true representation of the area surrounding the bus, which helps drivers gauge distances accurately.

These mirrors are vital for safety, allowing drivers to see vehicles in adjacent lanes and assess the proximity of obstacles when making turns or lane changes. While convex mirrors, for example, are also beneficial for providing a wider field of view, they can distort distances, which may lead to miscalculations. Similarly, the interior rearview mirror primarily focuses on the rear view, leaving blind spots on the sides unmonitored, and crossover mirrors are typically arranged to help reduce blind spots but serve a somewhat different purpose.

In contrast, relying solely on the other types of mirrors would not provide the comprehensive and accurate visibility required to navigate safely around larger vehicles like buses. Thus, the left and right flat mirrors are essential for ensuring that a driver has a complete understanding of their immediate surroundings.