Fighter pilots value SA (situational awareness - knowledge of what's going on around you). Sadly, that quality is lacking in most drivers. Most people have their side rear view mirrors adjusted incorrectly.
They adjust them to be able to see the sides of their own car...leaving a large blind spot on both sides of the car, an area not covered by the side rear views and the rear view on the windshield. However, you can adjust them outward, so that you can just see the edge of what's visible in your rear view mirror, and eliminate the blind spot.
You lose the comfort of seeing your car's flanks, but gain great visibility...Car and Driver had an article on this, IIRC...and I've changed the way I adjust them as a result...