Topic: The Killing Zone

[Snowman]

I have witnessed a number of near collisions with large SUV’s and children due to women inattentively backing up in a hurry. I watched one neighbour back over a new bike then freak on the child who left it there.

I understand that mini-vans and SUV’s have poor rear and side visibility but some on the onus must be placed on the driver to properly check the blind spots for children while backing up.

In 2005 539 children were involved in baking up incidents resulting in 220 deaths in the US. I found this graphic developed by Consumers Reports which illustrate the Killing Zone:

"To measure the blind spots, a 28-inch traffic cone was positioned behind the vehicle at the point where the driver could just see its top. As the illustration shows, longer and taller vehicles tend to have significantly larger blind spots. (The shading shows the length of each blind spot; lighter for an average-height driver, darker for a shorter driver.)"

[mrthompson]

A colleague owns a 2001 Ford Windstar equipped with reversing sensors.  He says it has been useful in preventing a number of potentially damaging situations.

[Accordingly]

It is a matter of training and awareness. Technological solutions (cameras, sensors, forcefields) can't adequately replace walking an extra ten feet to actually LOOK behind the vehicle before getting in.

Of course, this would take too much time out of their busy, busy lives  .

[UmroAyyar]

I almost always used to back-in the Corolla while parking in public areas. Don't feel comfortable doing that with the Camry where there's people traffic.

[ktm525]

When parking in a lot I always back in. I am able to confirm that the spot is clear and then back in. When it is time to leave there is no backing up required, I can see where I need to go. The problem with this technique is that most people cannot park/manuvuer their cars. Watching drivers trying to navigate their cars in reverse is hillarious, it really exposes their lack of skill. When parked in my garage I make it a habit to confirm that the area behind my truck is clear. To do this I walk around the back of my truck to get to the driver's door, never walk in front. Driver's need to focus on the task at hand. 

[B2]

My 1991 Pathfinder has much better rearward visibility than my Mazda3 sedan - even with the spare tire bolted to the back of the tailgate on the Pathy..  But neither vehicles have poor all around visibility IMO.  It's fashionable on newer cars to make smaller and smaller rear windows.  Nothing else I've driven had worse all-around visiblity than my '98 Camaro.

[mrthompson]

I find that dark tint (especially aftermarket) reduces visibility at night.  One has to be more vigilant when parking/manoeuvring the vehicle.

[safristi]

    Snowie "god" is watchin' you...ya ruined my Bakeing UP reply......

[dorin]

I find that dark tint (especially aftermarket) reduces visibility at night.  One has to be more vigilant when parking/manoeuvring the vehicle.

  The tinted windows were the one thing that I really didn't like on my old MX-3.  I for one will never ever tint my windows.  The loss of visibility in low-light conditions is just not worth it.  I also fail to understand how others, who purportedly care about being safe drivers, can just blithely ago ahead and put aftermarket tint on their cars.  IMO aftermarket tinting is irresponsible.

[UmroAyyar]

As mr.thompson said, being more Vigilant.

[mdxtasy]

It is a matter of training and awareness. Technological solutions (cameras, sensors, forcefields) can't adequately replace walking an extra ten feet to actually LOOK behind the vehicle before getting in.

Of course, this would take too much time out of their busy, busy lives  .

I beg to differ.  The wide angle camera lens I have allows me to see what's behind my vehicle...in real time.  So not only do I get to see what's directly behind me, but also...what cruises through my backup path while I'm backing up.  Let's see you back that car up while walking 10ft behind your vehicle...all at the same time.

There are techno solutions to things, and some of them are even good.     These technology aids can assist in giving the driver a second set of eyes.

[quadzilla]

I also fail to understand how others, who purportedly care about being safe drivers, can just blithely ago ahead and put aftermarket tint on their cars.  IMO aftermarket tinting is irresponsible.

So would you allow any tall people to sit in your back seat? 

[dorin]

Yes, but I'm tall myself and I make my passengers move/duck when I can't see past them.  You can't lighten up tinted windows when it's dark. 

[haris]

Funny stuff.
A woman in an Expedition backed into my ZX3 Focus few years ago and then yelled at me that it's my fault for driving such a small car. Then she claimed I backed into her. Luckily I was able to find some witnesses...

[Giant Dwarf]

When parking in a lot I always back in. I am able to confirm that the spot is clear and then back in. When it is time to leave there is no backing up required, I can see where I need to go. The problem with this technique is that most people cannot park/manuvuer their cars. Watching drivers trying to navigate their cars in reverse is hillarious, it really exposes their lack of skill. When parked in my garage I make it a habit to confirm that the area behind my truck is clear. To do this I walk around the back of my truck to get to the driver's door, never walk in front. Driver's need to focus on the task at hand. 

There's someone who's taken YD training. 

I'm with you.  And now, more out of necessity than anything else, I back into parking spaces.  With the top up (like most roadsters), the MX5 is pretty crappy to see out of in reverse.  I take my time, use my mirrors, look over my shoulder... stop and correct if need be.  I can usually nail it first time, but I have no shame if I choose to pull forward and take a second attempt to make it perfect. 

___

MDX5, the problem with those systems is a) when people become entirely dependent on them and b) when for whatever reason they can't use them (ie. snow build up on the camera or sensor; electrical failure or simply driving a different car) and they carelessly just back up without due care. 

[jonl]

I understand that mini-vans and SUV’s have poor rear and side visibility but some on the onus must be placed on the driver to properly check the blind spots for children while backing up.

"To measure the blind spots, a 28-inch traffic cone was positioned behind the vehicle at the point where the driver could just see its top. As the illustration shows, longer and taller vehicles tend to have significantly larger blind spots. (The shading shows the length of each blind spot; lighter for an average-height driver, darker for a shorter driver.)"

The chart indicates minivan have by far the smallest blind spots to the rear.  I am surprised at this.

[ktm525]

When parking in a lot I always back in. I am able to confirm that the spot is clear and then back in. When it is time to leave there is no backing up required, I can see where I need to go. The problem with this technique is that most people cannot park/manuvuer their cars. Watching drivers trying to navigate their cars in reverse is hillarious, it really exposes their lack of skill. When parked in my garage I make it a habit to confirm that the area behind my truck is clear. To do this I walk around the back of my truck to get to the driver's door, never walk in front. Driver's need to focus on the task at hand. 

There's someone who's taken YD training. 

I'm with you.  And now, more out of necessity than anything else, I back into parking spaces.  With the top up (like most roadsters), the MX5 is pretty crappy to see out of in reverse.  I take my time, use my mirrors, look over my shoulder... stop and correct if need be.  I can usually nail it first time, but I have no shame if I choose to pull forward and take a second attempt to make it perfect. 

___

MDX5, the problem with those systems is a) when people become entirely dependent on them and b) when for whatever reason they can't use them (ie. snow build up on the camera or sensor; electrical failure or simply driving a different car) and they carelessly just back up without due care. 

That and two of my vehicles have really bad turning turning circles. 

[mdxtasy]

MDX5, the problem with those systems is a) when people become entirely dependent on them and b) when for whatever reason they can't use them (ie. snow build up on the camera or sensor; electrical failure or simply driving a different car) and they carelessly just back up without due care. 

I'm not advocating that we put idiots behind the wheel and let them drive.  Sure there is a limitation to what technology can do.  However, some of these aids are highly effective and can reduce the uncertanties that we may encounter while backing up.  There is no better solution than proper driving technique, but there are things that make us better drivers.  Anybody who thinks that they are better without (prove to me you can walk behind the car and see what runs behind you while backing up at the same time) can be thought of as ignorant.  Especially if that person has never seen what such a device can do.  While not entirely dependant on my back up camera, I'd like to thank the camera for letting me see that 9 year old boy who was returning the shopping cart to the grocery store as I was backing out.  He was running with the cart, I was parked between 2 minvans and he ran out from nowhere.  My camera saw him coming.  I looked back and I never even saw the top of his head.  

If you hate technology so much, get a horse and buggy.   

[airbalancer]

MDX5, the problem with those systems is a) when people become entirely dependent on them and b) when for whatever reason they can't use them (ie. snow build up on the camera or sensor; electrical failure or simply driving a different car) and they carelessly just back up without due care. 

If you hate technology so much, get a horse and buggy.   

How about 2 feet and a heart beat to get around

[Iso Octane]

I get angry watching people parallel park.  Probably because I'm always seeing people get bumped.  3 separate occasions in the span of a few hours one time.  So if the guy in the Corolla can't do it.  The guy in the Civic can't do it.  And the person that hit *me*, bending my license plate, and causing two dents from the plate mounting to be punctured into my front bumper, can't do it... Let's give'm a huge SUV with a bigger blind spot, and see if it gets any better!