I agree with you they are damn hard to see if not paying close attention, especially in a blind spot.
I almost took out a guy on a Harley, so close that he put his hand on my window. He made it clear that if he ever saw me out of my car he would fucking kill me. I felt like an ass already but I deserved it I guess.
But it made it clear that loud pipes do save lives. Didn't even know he was there.