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How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

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Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#281

Post by jyriand »

wcarron wrote: post #11

There's an even simpler, more effective way of checking blind spots: Actually turning ones head and looking over the shoulder. The "blind spot" doesn't exist when drivers exercise proper caution and responsible driving behavior. Of course, expecting this of drivers is unrealistically utopian. Nevertheless, a "blind spot" is just another excuse for unsafe drivers.

Looking over the shoulder seems like a dangerous move to me, given that a car that is driving in front of me might break at the same moment I'm looking out of the side window. Also, it somehow seems little bit disorienting. But maybe if I would get used to it, it wouldn't seem so weird and scary.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#282

Post by u801e »

mattmg83 wrote: post #16

Related concepts, in the Netherlands they taught everyone to open their car door with the right hand, which makes your head turn and improves odds of spotting a cyclist. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/16/how-to-sa...

> which makes your head turn and improves odds of spotting a cyclist.

It doesn't because, when you turn your head, your view behind you will be blocked by the B-pillar of the car. It's actually better to look in the side mirror to check for cyclist before opening the door.

It's actually better to teach cyclists to not ride within 6 feet of a parked vehicle.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#283

Post by u801e »

snotrockets wrote: post #172
Nadya wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They look ugly and people don't want them. It should be mandated by law, much like seatbelts IMO.

Current US legislation forces those blind spots by requiring the driver side mirror to not distort distances. Change that law to match the rest of the world, where the blind sports are much smaller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_mirror#Planar.2C_convex.2... (and if you drive a car that has a EU-equivalent model, sometimes you can import EU mirrors. Best $100 I spent on my VW). And while you're at it, also match…

> And while you're at it, also match the headlights with the ECE

It's too bad that's not an option for most non-European makes. That is, if you have an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, etc, they're relatively easy to obtain and install. If you have an Asian or American make (Honda, Ford, etc.), it's probably not an option since the overseas models may have a different shape for the headlamp assembly (making it difficult, if not impossible, to install them in the equivalent domestic model).

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#284

Post by CamperBob2 »

lmilcin wrote: post #241
m1n1 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This, and the other comments that say turning your head is still necessary. I tried what the link suggests and had many instances where a motorcycle zipped by close to my car -- I didn't notice them until [what would have been] too late because I couldn't see the area next to my car easily that way. Now I have my mirrors adjusted so I can see motorcycles better, and I turn my head to check the remainder. All humans a…

Turning your head is not necessary. When you have side mirrors set up correctly you need to first look in the rear view mirror and only then in the side mirror.

The problem is, the "correct" way to set up your side mirrors involves adjusting them so that you can't see the side of your own car without craning your neck. This, in turn, means that your mirrors might not be where you left them. If someone bumps your mirror in a parking lot, you may not notice that you now have a sizable blind spot close to your car.

So I usually compromise by keeping a small sliver of the car visible in the mirrors and turning my head at least slightly when I use them. I think that's probably the way to optimize for real-world safety.

Another pet peeve is a feature my own car has, which is an auto-dimming function that's intended to cut down on glare from nearby headlights. If I turn that on, the side mirrors get so dark that I can't see cars that don't have their headlights on, which is all too common near dusk around here. Extremely dangerous implementation of an otherwise helpful feature. One of these days I'm going to open up the mirror housings and clip the appropriate wires, since I really only want the interior mirror to adjust itself.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#285

Post by mauvehaus »

salex89 wrote: post #266
nostrademons wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've got my mirrors set as the article describes. I've had motorcycles zip by right beside the car, splitting lanes. I saw them coming, and had them in complete view from when they entered the rearview mirror to the side mirror to out the side window. I've measured the exact point at which an object leaves the field of vision of the side mirror, and I'm pretty sure it's slightly ahead of the driver side window, at wh…

True, but convex mirrors help a lot. I'm not sure do all cars have them, though...

Federal law prohibits them on the driver's side in the US[0].

[0] https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/in-defense-of-co...

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#286

Post by ShinTakuya »

jyriand wrote: post #281
wcarron wrote: post #11

There's an even simpler, more effective way of checking blind spots: Actually turning ones head and looking over the shoulder. The "blind spot" doesn't exist when drivers exercise proper caution and responsible driving behavior. Of course, expecting this of drivers is unrealistically utopian. Nevertheless, a "blind spot" is just another excuse for unsafe drivers.

Looking over the shoulder seems like a dangerous move to me, given that a car that is driving in front of me might break at the same moment I'm looking out of the side window. Also, it somehow seems little bit disorienting. But maybe if I would get used to it, it wouldn't seem so weird and scary.

Simple solution to this one too: don't drive so close to the person in front of you that a 500ms peek would put you in danger of collision.

The only time a peek would put you in the danger you describe is if you're tailgating or exceptionally slow at peeking.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#287

Post by lmilcin »

CamperBob2 wrote: post #284
lmilcin wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Turning your head is not necessary. When you have side mirrors set up correctly you need to first look in the rear view mirror and only then in the side mirror.

The problem is, the "correct" way to set up your side mirrors involves adjusting them so that you can't see the side of your own car without craning your neck. This, in turn, means that your mirrors might not be where you left them. If someone bumps your mirror in a parking lot, you may not notice that you now have a sizable blind spot close to your car. So I usually compromise by keeping a small sliver of the car vi…

You are partly correct. Every time I sit in my car I check the mirrors by moving my head to the left and to the right. It takes barely a second but it is the only way to assure mirrors are set correctly.

Let me share a story. I am blind to my left eye which means I have to turn my entire head way, way to the left to be able to look into "blind spot". Once I almost crashed the car when looking into "blind spot" when joining into busy highway because the car before me broke hard as some other care before run out of space. Only my wife screamed and I instinctively slammed the brakes and stopped few inches from the car before me.

This was about 10 years ago. I started reading about how to fix this problem and I found the article why and exact procedure.

It took some time to get adjusted. Particularly, driving with no traffic at the beginning meant there was nothing in the side mirrors which was disconcerting. Also, when you back up with your car you have to tilt to be able to see the side of your car. But, remember, you can back up as slowly as you want but when you need to join moving traffic you have to do it at speed.

Nevertheless, I finally feel free in my car. I know exactly what is happening around me just by scanning the mirrors with very little head movement and on the lanes directly to the left and to the right I have no blind spot where a cyclist could fit. There are blind spots on further lanes so if I change lane I still need to make sure there is no car that decided, at the same instant, to also change his lane.

If you sit straight and you see the sides of your car even a tiny bit then your mirrors are way from being well set up. It is not a compromise, you have a huge blind spot unless you have particularly large side mirrors. Thats because your rear view mirror is a cone, and the job of your side mirror is point exactly in the middle between your peripheral vision and the cone shown by rear view mirror. If your side mirror sees the side of your car then over half of your rear view mirror is duplicated with your side mirror. If both side mirrors are set this way then you don't really need the rear view mirror as in both side mirrors you see the road behind your car.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#288

Post by Casseres »

mauvehaus wrote: post #285
salex89 wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

True, but convex mirrors help a lot. I'm not sure do all cars have them, though...

Federal law prohibits them on the driver's side in the US[0]. [0] https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/in-defense-of-co...

Clarification: federal law permits them on the drivers side in the US as long as the mirrors also have the required flat mirror [0].

[0] same link, and the fact that my vehicle came from the US manufacturer with both.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#289

Post by Casseres »

analog31 wrote: post #223
wahern wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a stretch of a few hundred feet (like a city block) where you'll both likely come to a stop, do you prefer cars overtake you beforehand or to trail behind? Do cars trailing you make you anxious? I don't think I've ever forgotten about a biker I've passed, but I also like to avoid situations where I might forget, which put the biker in a position to surprise me, or which impede my maneuverability if something else…

I'm an avid urban cyclist. My preference is for you to behave the same way as if I'm driving a car. Pass me if you can. If you're alongside me, a gentle tap on my brake will get rid of you quickly enough. ;-) I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists. So I'm probably more courteous than the bare minimum required by the traffic…

> I will admit to having a mildly "political" motive, in that I would like drivers to have a positive experience dealing with cyclists.

Me too, except the other way around. I will make sure there is a ton of room before merging in front of a bicyclist, and I will give them the full lane on a two lane road when passing them even if they're hugging the curb.

When riding on the streets, they are given the same legal protection as any other vehicle. I just wish that every bicyclist also knew that they have to follow every law a car does too - including stopping at red lights and stop signs.

Re: How to Eliminate the Dreaded “Blind Spot”

#290

Post by Casseres »

koonsolo wrote: post #233
ummonk wrote: post #25

There are smaller things (bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians) that can sneak into the gap between the side and rearview mirror views here. And colliding with one of those is much more likely to cause serious injury or death than colliding with a car. It's a much better idea to make sure your side and rear mirrors have complete coverage (i.e. no gaps) at the back, and actually turning your head to check the blind spot…

I drive a motorcycle, and from the other end, "being seen" is one of the most important things. The main rule is, if you can see the driver in his mirror, he can see you. You should always try to jump past the blind spots, and stay in the spots that they can see. If you have experience on the road, a lot of times you already know what a driver will do before he does it. Cars are still OK, but trucks have plenty of bl…

Do you believe in being seen (hi-viz vest/colors), or being heard (loud pipes)?
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