Driving & Blind Spot

JustinR1979

specialboy wrote: »

What if they're in the passenger seat behind me? ;-)

Then get them to do it!

Strider590

mjoneseyjones wrote: »

No officer, I didn't check my blindspot, my peripheral vision is better than most because I used to be good at video games :rotfl:

Go back, look at the images posted.... Where is the blindspot?
Now your telling me you need to spin your head 180 degrees to see that?

Not only this, but if your paying proper attention NOTHING should ever get into your blindspots without you knowing, everything has to pass a visible point, you should be spatially aware enough to know exactly where everything is.

Which is why one of my pet hates is people doing stuff at the wheel of their car, be that using a phone, chatting with a passenger, mucking about with the radio, smoking, eating, drinking, etc etc etc. All of those things could allow something to enter a blindspot without your brain registering it. If your paying attention, you should always know what's going on around you.

mjoneseyjones

Strider590 wrote: »

Go back, look at the images posted.... Where is the blindspot?
Now your telling me you need to spin your head 180 degrees to see that?

Not only this, but if your paying proper attention NOTHING should ever get into your blindspots without you knowing, everything has to pass a visible point, you should be spatially aware enough to know exactly where everything is.

Which is why one of my pet hates is people doing stuff at the wheel of their car, be that using a phone, chatting with a passenger, mucking about with the radio, smoking, eating, drinking, etc etc etc. All of those things could allow something to enter a blindspot without your brain registering it. If your paying attention, you should always know what's going on around you.

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Even the most observant, careful, spatially aware driver can be caught out by a momentary loss of concentration, or a motorcyclist approaching at speed, or someone changing lanes unexpectedly. As long as its a human driving, there's room for error.

To suggest a split second glance over the shoulder isnt needed 'because you always pay attention and are good at video games' is utterly ridiculous.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

There are many different scenarios of when you need to look, and vision is not a reliable means of seeing. For example, if you scan quickly around, you think you are looking lots, but actually the eye does not pass through the image from a moving eye.

There was a really good summary of this from an ex-RAF pilot who was explaining how they were trained to scan for targets, and they have to consciously look rather than simply move around.

I think an example of this is when you have those days when you are looking for something and you can't find it, especially if you are in a hurry. Then you come back to the same place and there the thing is. So you have skimmed across the object and not realised you have not really been looking. Looking systematically instead helps you find it.

Remember that a car or cyclist approaching you from the side does not appear to be moving much.

I'm certain that most accidents at junctions are not because people haven't looked, but because they haven't seen, often for good physiological reasons - they genuinely believe that they looked properly but nobody trains a driver how to look properly. As a good driver you should be doing everything you can to see.

photome

Strider590 wrote: »

Go back, look at the images posted.... Where is the blindspot?
Now your telling me you need to spin your head 180 degrees to see that?

Not only this, but if your paying proper attention NOTHING should ever get into your blindspots without you knowing, everything has to pass a visible point, you should be spatially aware enough to know exactly where everything is.

Which is why one of my pet hates is people doing stuff at the wheel of their car, be that using a phone, chatting with a passenger, mucking about with the radio, smoking, eating, drinking, etc etc etc. All of those things could allow something to enter a blindspot without your brain registering it. If your paying attention, you should always know what's going on around you.

I dont believe some of the stuff you post.

you should ALWAYS check the blind spot.

You may have been distracted bu any number of things for just a second or two and in that time something may have oved from your visible area into that blind spot.

For you to say that there is no need to visibly check and that you have superior vision to everyone else on the road is ridiculous

Strider590

mjoneseyjones wrote: »

To suggest a split second glance over the shoulder isnt needed 'because you always pay attention and are good at video games' is utterly ridiculous.

You said that, not me. I was merely pointing out that some people do have better peripheral vision and spacial awareness and attempted to give an example as to why.

In fact I never even suggested that a check was not necessary, I only suggested it wasn't always needed.

For me it also depends what car i'm driving, as my Vectra has big mirrors but the side pillar blocks the view from inside. You have to sort of peer around the drivers seat and through the rear door window.
The kitcar has mirrors from a single seater racing car, they're the size of postage stamps, the side visibility is good, but the 4 point harness means you can only turn your head.

You have to adapt to the situation and the vehicle, there is no hard/fast rule.

mrmot

I find that after a quick look over my shoulder that leaning forwards and looking in the door mirror whilst moving my head backwards gives a pretty good view.

anotherbaldrick

This is where you need to get the neck swivelling. Coming off the A31 Hogs Back to join the A3, roads merge just beyond this point. 50 (60) mph roads on a steep downhill . Joining traffic is fooled by the angle of the road into thinking lane you are merging into is clear, just as you get a wheel onto the white line a juggernaut appears in the mirror. I know this road well and am prepared for it but have seen many unwary drivers have a brown trouser event. Cars coming up on your right just do not show in wing or rear mirrors , you must get you chin over your shoulder. In the shot above the white car is moving lane to accommodate the incoming car, most HGV vehicles don't bother.

JustinR1979

That is one dangerous bit of road! Just have to put your foot down and hope there's a gap.
As someone recently said on here, you're under no obligation to get over.
Best to have a crash, obviously...

topdaddy_2

Im agaisnt looking over the shoulder checks when changing lanes. The action of turning the head leads the body and this takes the arms with it and hence the steering. Im pretty sure this is the way I was taught. Being aware of whats in your mirrors should mean you are aware of whats in your blind spots. But I understand the blind spot check is compulsary before pulling off in the driving test.

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