RobinXe wrote:
Exactly, you have to move your head for a proper lookout! I can't believe this is really a foreign concept to the wealth of experienced drivers we have here.
This is an incredibly complex problem to be dismissed in so few words.
I am 6' 2" tall, and consequently am forced to have the seat back to accomodate my legs, without banging my knees on the steering column.
The effect is to make the A pillar look further forwards, and even more intrusive.
However, the A pillar slopes back at some angle, so a look left as you go to turn into a side road, has the A pillar slope match the perspective of the side road, and blot it's LENGTH, not just a small width.
Leaning forwards to look around it, lowers your head, and is no improvement, while leaning back pushes the A pillar forward, and lessens
the view into the road still further!!
In actual fact, in practice, you learn to pull over to the right before you make the turn left, to ensure both a better view, AND a margin of safety afforded by the (marginally) longer route into the side road!
A SHORTER driver will have an entirely different perspective on the same car/junction scenario.
As a tall driver, I also find most rear view mirrors too low in the field of view. Vauxhall used to be the only manufacturer who allowed the mirror stem to swing up giving an improved view under the mirror for a taller driver.
In many modern hatches, the view through the rear screen is greatly reduced for taller drivers.
Last week, I nearly got caught out on a mini roundabout, because as I approached it, I did not think a car on the right had time to pull out across my path - however, he did (causing oncoming cars with R.O.W. to brake).
As he moved from right to left, he was obscured by the pillar - but I was performing my A pillar shuffle - a head movement which allows a quick view to right and left of the pillar. But the car's movement matched my head movement, and was obscured from my view until the very last minute.
My speed was low enough for me to stop safely, but if I had struck the car (or a bike) I would be upset at being charged with DWDCA, since I HAD made every effort to look, and was only thwarted by the unexpected exit of the right hand vehicle.
Again, a shorter driver may well have had an entirely different circumstance, and outcome! And imagine the consequences of a driver who is not quite attuned to the problem, or as cautious at such a junction,
yet might be held to be driving with appropriate due care.
In the first view below, the side road is obscured...
In the second view, the side road is just visible in the quarter light!!
Passengers also present a problem for tall drivers with the seat back, when you look left at a junction - they are often in the way, especially if they are drivers themselves, as they instinctively lean forward to get a better look!
Incidentally, my Poppy sticker (see above picture) "failed" my recent MOT - for the first time in 5 years! Apparently it obscured the view of the examiner, so he removed it! Not sure why he did not remove the tax disc and rear view mirror, but he WAS shorter than me!!