Traffic mirror is a road safety equipment that allows you to see what is in your blind spot. Traffic mirrors are normally installed at the roadsides of crossroads or curves with poor visibility. By appropriately locating the traffic mirror, it will give you the visibility and drivers can effectively avoid collisions to protect their safety and property. With so many different types of traffic mirrors, how do you choose the one that fits your needs? What are the differences in different material and sizes? In this article, we are going to teach you how to choose your traffic mirrors, then recommend 12 types of traffic mirrors with different functions. Finally, you are going to learn how to install the traffic mirrors on your own and how to carry out the maintenance.

 

 

 

How to choose a traffic mirror?

 

Traffic Mirror Material: Choose Stainless Steel for Outdoors

First, please decide your traffic mirror material according to the environment. Traffic mirrors are often located at outdoors that requires weather-resistance. In that case, you simply choose stainless steel traffic mirrors that has the best weather-resistance and offers more than 10 years of service life. If you are installing traffic mirrors at a parking structure or any indoor areas, then you can take polycarbonate traffic mirrors consideration. Polycarbonate, or simply put PC, traffic mirrors are not recommended at outdoors as they gradually deteriorate and lose their functionality after exposing to the sunlight for a long time.

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Traffic Mirror Size: Choose 80cm mirror or larger for longer viewing distance

Second, please choose the size of your traffic mirror according to the speed and distance of vehicles you are observing. A large traffic mirror offers a longer viewing distance that can goes up to 30 meters. If you are merging a lane with fast-moving vehicles from your private driveway, you need a 80cm/100cm traffic mirror to observe the speed of vehicles from a distance. On the other hand, if you are using the traffic mirrors at a small corner or using them to be aware of pedestrians, you can choose a smaller traffic mirror. With smaller convex radius, smaller traffic mirror offers a wider image at a near distance. You may want to choose 60cm traffic mirrors or even smaller size.

 

Choose a comprehensive traffic mirror: Choose SG-80

If you are still uncertain about how to choose your traffic mirror, you can always choose SG-80. SG-80 is the most common traffic mirror in Asia. It is suitable for all kinds of environment. Stainless steel mirror and galvanized steel backboard provides great weather-resistance. And its 80cm round-shape mirror allows you to see cars approaching in all directions. SG-80 also comes with a visor to prevent sunlight reflection.

 

12 best traffic mirrors

1. SG-9068:

• Ultrawide
• The only roundtangular stainless steel mirror in the world
• Eco-friendly

SG-9068 is the only roundtangular stainless steel mirror in the world. Its image is 1/4 wider than the round-shape traffic mirror, making it perfect to use at curvy mountain roads. The 90cm wide mirror allows you see the fast-moving vehicles oncoming and be prepared for it. The 3M high-intensity reflective tape is applied around the edge of traffic mirror to help the eyes perceive the images in low-light conditions.

90*68cm

 

 

2. SS series:

• All stainless steel
• Premium traffic mirror

SS series is made with 304 stainless steel mirror and 430 stainless steel backboard. It has impeccable weather-resistance, durability, and aesthetics. It is the first choice for road traffic mirror.

100cm/80cm/76cm/60cm/50cm

 

 

3. SG series:

• Stainless steel mirror & Galvanized steel backboard
• Good value for the money

It is the most popular traffic mirror in Asia, especially SG-80. Galvanized steel backboard can provide weather-resistance and durability while still remains a very affordable price. SG-series provides all the sizes you need range from 30cm to 100cm. SG series is a perfect traffic mirror for small alley and intersections.

100cm/80cm/76cm/60cm/50cm/30cm

 

 

4. Piping Series:

• 100% recyclable
• 3M high-intensity reflective tape
• Eco-friendly

Unlike traditional traffic mirror which has a PVC trim to cover its edges, Piping-series uses“double-seam”technique to curl the extra backboard inward and wrap around the mirror. This double-seam method replaces the PVC trim and saves hundred of tons of plastic waste every year. And it is the first 100% recyclable traffic mirror ever built. Choose Piping-series if you want to go eco-friendly.

SS-R 100cm/80cm/76cm/60cm/50cm

SG-R 100cm/80cm/76cm/60cm/50cm

 

 

5. SC series:

• Exquisite white coated backboard
• Eco-friendly

This is a unique traffic mirror with coated steel backboard. The exquisite white coated backboard wraps around the mirror and forms a perfect protection for pedestrians. SC-series is also eco-friendly as it abandons the PVC trim and can be 100% recyclable.

100cm/80cm/60cm

 

 

6. SF series

• Best weather-resistance
• One-piece Sheet-Molding-Compound backboard

SF-series has the most outstanding weather-resistance in all traffic mirrors. The SMC backboard provides certain degree of acid and alkali resistance to withstand the sea wind erosions. Also, the one-piece SMC backboard provides supreme durability. SF-series is the best traffic mirrors for coastal area.

100cm/80cm

 

7. SG-10080

• 100*80cm
• Largest mirror in the world

SG-10080 is the largest traffic mirror ever built. SG-10080 has the maximum viewing distance in all traffic mirrors. It also comes with 3M high-intensity reflective tape around its edges.

100*80cm

 

 

8. Rectangular traffic mirrors

• Wide Vision
• Popular in Europe

The rectangle traffic mirror comes in two different size 80*60cm and 60*45cm. They are widely used in Europe. Rectangular traffic mirror emphasizes horizontal images making it an ideal traffic mirror for crossroads.

80*60cm/60*45cm

 

 

9. PG series

• Lightweight constructed
• Highly reflective PC
• High Impact PC

PG-series is your first choice for parking structure traffic mirror. The combination of PC mirror and Galvanized steel backboard makes it both lightweight and highly durable. By using the additional wall mount, you can fix it on the wall in your parking structure. The polycarbonate mirror can rebound and recover its shape if it is accidentally touched by a pedestrian. PC is a highly reflective material so it performs better in the low-light condition.

100/80/76/60cm

 

10. PG-R series

• Light-weight
• High Impact PC
• Best Performance in the low-light condition

A combination of PC mirror and Galvanized steel backboard. PG-R series uses the double-seam technique to replace the PVC trim. It comes with the 3M high-intensity reflective tape and is the best performing traffic mirror in the low-light condition parking lot.

100/80/76/60cm

 

 

11. PF series

• Best weather-resistance
• Light-weight

PC+SMC backboard. One-piece SMC backboard provides excellent weather-resistance and supreme durability. PF-series is a great choice if you need uncompromising weather-resistance and light-weight traffic mirror.

100/80cm

 

 

12. PO series

• Lightest traffic mirror
• Suitable for thinner poles or walls

PO-series is the lightest traffic mirror as it is built with PC mirror and PP backboard. This traffic mirror is perfect for your private entrance because you can install it anywhere you want. It can be installed to thinner walls or thinner poles. (2"～2.5")

30cm/45cm/60cm/66cm

 

For more detail specification, please go to: https://www.goangjih.com.tw/product/traffic-convex-mirror/

 

Where can I install Traffic Mirror?

If you want to install the traffic mirror on a public road or area, you should contact your local government first. You will be advised if you are allowed to install on your own depends on the laws in different countries. If not, you should be able to apply for it and wait for local government's approval. Normally, they should apply the budget and install it for the good of public safety. If you are installing traffic mirrors on a private land or parking lot, you should be able to install it anywhere you wish.

 

How to install a traffic mirror?

Pole mount is the most common way of installing a traffic mirror.

1. Please dig a 30*30cm hole in the ground with 30cm depth.
2. Insert the pole inside and fill the hole with cement and rocks until its half-full.
3. After it is solidified, repeat the process and check if the pole is upright.
4. You can now install the traffic mirror to the poles with the pole mount
5. If you are replacing the old unit with a new one, make sure the pole diameter is correct(2.5”or 76mm) then you can install the new traffic mirror.  

 

With wall mount, you can fix the traffic mirror to the walls instead of poles. Drill holes with the expansion screw and fix the wall mount on the wall and combine with traffic mirror.

 

When you are installing the traffic mirror, please do not tighten the screws instantly. Go to the observing location to check if the image in the mirror is clear for you to notice the pedestrians and vehicles. Make some minor adjustment on angles or height if needed before you tighten the screws. Then you can remove the film on the mirror and you are all set.

 

 

Traffic mirror maintenance and cleaning

Traffic mirror virtually needs no maintenance. You only need to wash the mirror with water if it is covered with dust. Wipe the mirror with sponge and pH neutral soap water for a complete cleaning. Make sure you wash away all the dust with water before you wipe the surface.

You can also use a soft-brush or tissue to remove the dust softly. Do Not use a hard brush to clean the mirror as it may scratch the surface.