When driving, should a person have just as much concern about...?

... drivers behind them as they do about drivers in front of them? My boyfriend is a fire fighter and has no concern about vehicles approaching at higher speeds on the highway, breaking in slippery conditions, or driving at 10 mph when he's trying to find the street to turn down. If a liquid tanker, a trailer truck, a tow with a vehicle on it, or anything that I know will have issues adjusting speeds comes behind us, I have to be the one to let him know and advise him to switch lanes. I know he barely uses his rear view mirror, he doesn't have one in the fire truck, so he just ignores it. I'm a military driver, and a Boston driver, I want everyone out of my way, I want to be out of the way of everyone else. That's just how I was taught. Am I wrong to be so concerned about the drivers behind us?
Additional Details
Kelly, the rear view mirror in the cabin of the vehicle, not the side mirrorson the outside of the vehicle. They are not in the big trucks because the trailer load is in the way. I've been taught to drive without one too, that doesn't mean I don't use it when I don't have it.

sunflower

A driver should definitely be watching traffic coming from behind. I don't understand the reasoning behind drivers who don't give a hoot about anyone behind them, and think that it's ok to slam on their brakes and risk getting rear-ended, because "it'll be the other guy's fault". That just isn't responsible driving.

It sounds like you are a very considerate driver... there should be more people on the road like you. :)

kenbgray

You are 100% right. Your friend is 100% wrong.

kate s

Yes it is important to pay attention to the car behind you but it is more important to watch where you are going. If the other cars are following at the correct distance there is plenty of room for everyone to come to a stop and avoid any collision.

To the car salesman...
Ford didn't come up with the blind spot indicators it was Volvo, I know it is a branch at Ford but so is Mazda. What you are saying would be the same as saying Ford pioneered the Rotary.

If you adjust your mirrors properly there should be minimal blind spots. The side mirrors don't need to show you the side of your car or the same thing as your rear view mirror does. Adjust the side mirrors out so that the inside edge of the mirror reflection slightly overlaps with the center mirror. This will give you a view of the lanes just beside and behind you or what is referred to as the "BLIND SPOT". It may take a few minutes of driving to get used to it but once you do you realize that you no longer need to crane your neck around to see if it is safe to switch lanes.

Friendly Stranger..

Your concern is legitimate. Drivers in front and in the back deserve your attention. You need to know exactly what is going on behind you. The reason why is because if you were to switch lanes without looking behind you you may accidentally cut someone off, causing a fender bender. You do not want to change lanes without making sure that it is clear first. So many do this. They change lanes without looking in their rear view mirrors. If your boyfriend doesn't have a mirror in the rear of the truck he needs to use his side mirrors or turn his head. It is best to always look where you are going to avoid accidents. You are doing the right thing by wanting to see what is behind you. Its best to see them behind you before you make a move. I guarantee you will avoid more accidents than if you didn't look.

Rocky B

You absolutely need to be concerned. You've probably noticed an urge or a sense of someone flying up behind you as you drive, and this is no mistake. It is such an issue that Ford has manufactured a "blind spot" warning device for the outside rearview mirrors for 2010, and other car makers will follow soon. If you've ever been rearended, or know someone who has, this will end the argument about whether it's important or not.

kelly_f_1999

wel i see a few thing here first a fire truck with no mirrors sounds odd not looking into mirror at any time odd and bearly using them if one has them also problem i look into mirror every few seconds driving slow or fast most people do so maybe he has a problem

Mike M

Of course he should! You can watch out for the ones in front of you no problem, it's the ones behind you that are the bigger risk.

Doggzilla

Ive been rear ended in every vehicle Ive ever owned, so yes, you should be worried.
Ive been hit so many times at red lights, as soon as I stop I keep my eyes on the mirror in case Im going to be hit. The last time I was hit, I was waiting at a red light and I was hit so hard it completely destroyed the car that hit me and threw my jeep into the truck in front of me.
There is not much you can do, except try and avoid hitting anyone else when your car gets thrown forward.

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