Pedestrians: Please Read! Your life depends on it!

[glocke12]

Adjusting your mirrors to minimize blindspots is a step in the right direction, but no amount of adjustment will cover all of the blind spots a vehicle has.

I have a 4runner and a full size dodge ram pickup, and pretty much everything from my 7-9 oclock position is a blind spot that no amount of mirror adjustment will cover.

Pedestrians and cyclists really need to be aware that often times a vehicle will be unable to see them..

Good info, some cars/trucks have larger blind spots, for instance my Ridgeline as some pretty large blindspots that making backing up tricky, especially in a parking lot where there's pedestrians walking around

 

[andalusia]

As it happens, I was cycling home today, on the side of a road, with a man coming the opposite way. He wasn't paying much attention, and there was plenty of room for me to go around him, but he looked up and saw me, did a crazy hop/jump out the way whilst shouting 'Woah!', and proceeded to gesture at me and shout at me as I cycled past... I just shook my head. It was on a dedicated cycle lane.

 

[Gregg2]

However, you should adjust your mirrors (or get better mirrors / attachment) to minimize blind spot.

MIRROR ADJUST (for car):
Lean left, adjust left mirror so you barely see the side of the car
Lean right, adjust right mirror so you barely see the side of the car
Refer to your local driving school for more information

That really works.
lean left until your head rests on the window
lean right until your head is in line with the rear-view mirror

Adjusting your mirrors to minimize blindspots is a step in the right direction, but no amount of adjustment will cover all of the blind spots a vehicle has.

Try it!

 

[sushi]

PS. The Marine code of traffic etiquette works great when it's used:
Smaller vessels must always get out of the way of larger ones.
Why? Large ships cannot easily turn or stop and they might not even see you!

That wouldn't work in Japan.

Here, pedestrians have the right of way. And drivers are considered professional. If you are driving and a pedestrian walks out in front of your car, and you hit them, you are toast for the most part.

On a side note, I've learned to drive via my rear view mirror. It has saved me numerous times from getting hit. Folks here wait until the last minute to brake. I always keep a little extra between me and the vehicle in front of me. Being able to move a foot or two forward at the very last minute has made a difference so many times. More than I can count.

BTW, they can hold you for 21 days in jail without being able to see your attorney and without charging you. Lovely system.

 

[andalusia]

BTW, they can hold you for 21 days in jail without being able to see your attorney and without charging you. Lovely system.

Keeps you in check

 

[glocke12]

Actually I have...I still have a blind spot from 7-9 oclock in both my vehicles. The only way I can cover that area is if I turn almost completely around in my seat.

That really works.
lean left until your head rests on the window
lean right until your head is in line with the rear-view mirror


Try it!

 

[racer1441]

If I were to have hit one of these people they would have been seriously injured, and I would have had to live with the guilt.

There is your problem. Someone does something stupid, it's their fault. Guilt is for the weak.

 

[KeriJane]

That wouldn't work in Japan.

On a side note, I've learned to drive via my rear view mirror. It has saved me numerous times from getting hit. Folks here wait until the last minute to brake. I always keep a little extra between me and the vehicle in front of me. Being able to move a foot or two forward at the very last minute has made a difference so many times. More than I can count.

After being hit in the back of my car several times at stoplights, I do this too. It didn't help, as some Idiot took the opportunity to BACK his SUV into the front my car as hard as he could. Staying back gave him more room to accelerate! Why? He changed his mind about that turn he was going to make. That was not the pinnacle of humanity's intellectual achievement.

BTW, I would like to clarify my position on driving in a world full of suicidally STUPID Pedestrians, Cyclists and Drivers......

Be Careful. Be especially aware that many people lack basic survival instincts, have bad attitudes and are a hazard to themselves and others.
Try to avoid being the mechanism of their demise. Therein lies the challenge of Driving.

Have Fun,
Drive Safe,
Keri

PS. Why not get off the computer and study the Rules of the Road once in awhile?

 

[tflournoy95]

yay im back!! anyway i would just keep doing what i was doing if somebody jumped out into the road infront of me. its their fault. i wouldnt feel guilty for hitting them or anything.

 

[Gregg2]

Actually I have...I still have a blind spot from 7-9 oclock in both my vehicles. The only way I can cover that area is if I turn almost completely around in my seat.

Ok, a little applied troubleshooting technique here... Since it's in both vehicles, we can't blame the automobile. It must be you. At 9 o'clock, I can turn my head and make eye contact with the other driver. By 7 o'clock, I can see the other vehicle in my mirrors. (my last three vehicles) I don't know how else to explain it.