Lorry Blind Spots Film

SwainsL
SwainsL Posts: 33
edited November 2012 in Road general
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... zL0Kyk4m-8

Okay, I knew lorries had blind spots, but really?? That seems ridiculous!

Comments

  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    Well that's an eye opener. Certainly worse than I thought. I never overtake lorries unless the traffic isn't moving and I can see ahead of it.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    Why don't they have convex mirrors on the nearside to widen the angle of view (up and down, not just wider)? Plenty of cars do...
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • samsbike
    samsbike Posts: 942
    Thats pretty startling.

    I only go on the inside if I can get in the drivers line of sight
  • Gweny
    Gweny Posts: 38
    Pretty scary, although i've never cycled up on the inside/beside a lorry tbh.
  • Mikey41
    Mikey41 Posts: 690
    Yep, amazing how big that blind area can be. I will NEVER go up the inside of a large vehicle like that whether it's indicating or not.
    Giant Defy 2 (2012)
    Giant Defy Advanced 2 (2013)
    Giant Revel 1 Ltd (2013)
    Strava
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Quite interesting to see, however there is one major piece missing which completes the puzzle, which are the observations of the driver before they stopped in that position. They are mid turn where visibility will be near zero for a cyclist, however, many drivers know cyclist are there either by seeing them before they come to the junction. While it is astonishing how little you can see, they are showing the single 100% blind spot moment and showing that as a fact of all facets, a bit poor, much like most of government info.
    My London Road
  • AchillesLeftKnee
    AchillesLeftKnee Posts: 713
    Motorcycling tip for riding aggressively in heavy traffic...

    Always assume that every vehicle is completely blind on the left, right, and behind. Just because the driver can potentially see out the vehicle in that direction, that doesn't mean to say they actually have! Consequently, if you're next to one that's moving, there's no reason at all to assume it's not going to run you over. Ever.
    Mangeur
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    Motorcycling tip for riding aggressively in heavy traffic...

    Always assume that every vehicle is completely blind on the left, right, and behind. Just because the driver can potentially see out the vehicle in that direction, that doesn't mean to say they actually have! Consequently, if you're next to one that's moving, there's no reason at all to assume it's not going to run you over. Ever.

    +1 I operate a policy of if we haven't made eye contact, or made it clear they notice me by swerving or allowing space, then something will happen.
    My London Road
  • john1967
    john1967 Posts: 366
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:
    Why don't they have convex mirrors on the nearside to widen the angle of view (up and down, not just wider)? Plenty of cars do...

    The bottom mirror on the nearside is a convex mirror.its incorrectly set as is the whole mirror set.This is just scaremongering as this position could not happen without the driver pulling along side the group of bikes or the bikes pulling up the inside of a lorry allready turning left.
  • FSR_XC
    FSR_XC Posts: 2,258
    AchillesLeftKnee wrote:
    Motorcycling tip for riding aggressively in heavy traffic...

    Always assume that every vehicle is completely blind on the left, right, and behind. Just because the driver can potentially see out the vehicle in that direction, that doesn't mean to say they actually have! Consequently, if you're next to one that's moving, there's no reason at all to assume it's not going to run you over. Ever.

    If I can't see the driver in the mirror, then I know s/he can't see me.
    Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50

    http://www.visiontrack.com
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    john1967 wrote:
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:
    Why don't they have convex mirrors on the nearside to widen the angle of view (up and down, not just wider)? Plenty of cars do...

    The bottom mirror on the nearside is a convex mirror.its incorrectly set as is the whole mirror set.This is just scaremongering as this position could not happen without the driver pulling along side the group of bikes or the bikes pulling up the inside of a lorry allready turning left.

    Glad someone else noticed that.
    My London Road
  • Ber Nard
    Ber Nard Posts: 827
    john1967 wrote:
    The bottom mirror on the nearside is a convex mirror.its incorrectly set as is the whole mirror set.This is just scaremongering as this position could not happen without the driver pulling along side the group of bikes or the bikes pulling up the inside of a lorry allready turning left.

    The video demonstrates a blind spot created by an artic as it turns. It isn't a problem with the mirrors. Those cyclists would have been perfectly visible before the driver started to make the turn. On second viewing (when you know what you're looking for) you can just about see a cyclist in the bottom mirror.

    I agree that it's a very unlikely situation to arise unless the driver or the cyclists are idiots.

    Rob
  • Ber Nard
    Ber Nard Posts: 827
    Just noticed that the camera angle is set low so as not to pick up what is reflected in the blind spot mirror above the near side window. Scaremongering, but if it makes people think then it's not a bad thing.

    Rob

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