<P> The phrase "objects in (the) mirror are closer than they appear" is a safety warning that is required to be engraved on passenger side mirrors of motor vehicles in the USA, Canada, Nepal, India and Saudi Arabia . It is present because while these mirrors' convexity gives them a useful field of view, it also makes objects appear smaller . Since smaller - appearing objects seem farther away than they actually are, a driver might make a maneuver such as a lane change assuming an adjacent vehicle is a safe distance behind, when in fact it is quite a bit closer . The warning serves as a reminder to the driver of this potential problem . </P> <P> Despite its origin as a utilitarian safety warning, the phrase has become a well known catch phrase that has been used for many other purposes . These include books, movies (including non-English films), cartoons, songs and music albums, and other contexts . </P>

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear font