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0 pointspiker23h ago0 comments

Those A pillars are MASSIVE liabilities in the UK where people just hop right out onto "zebra crossings" expecting the right-of-way to be yielded to them.

On a number of occasions I have nearly hit people who I simply could not see crossing in my Volvo XC90 due to these pillars. I've been driving for nearly 30 years in the US and UK and have never felt anything like it.

[edit: for future readers, please note that I am not saying it would be legal or correct to hit these people.

I am saying precisely that the A pillars on the XC90 are dangerous as they introduce blind spots that I've never experienced before. We test drove the vehicle, and they weren't apparent during that test drive. I am now responsible for them.

Down in this thread you will read some responses that seem confused about that point. No, it is not legal to run people over in the road. You will be at fault. No, that doesn't make it smart to jump into the road until it's clear that the traffic has yielded you your lawful right of way. IAAL]

0 comments

15 comments · 5 top-level

bijowo167623h ago· 5 in thread

I like Teslas Forward Collision Warning system which alerts me if it sees the obstacle such as car, a corner, or pedestrian on a path.

there is also Active collision avoidance that will adjust vehicle if it senses a car on the nearby lane about to hit my side

I think these safety systems need to be mandatory

alamortsubite17h ago

There have been several studies showing driver assistance systems cause a psychological shift that leads to drivers not paying attention. I guess we have to ask ourselves if we want to encourage people to pay attention while driving, or just leave it up to the latest vibe-coded OTA update Tesla's pushing out.

I'm glad backup cameras are mandatory, though.

bijowo167615h ago

Nothing that cant be solved with another sensor inside cabin )))

1 more reply

ErroneousBosh19h ago

> I think these safety systems need to be mandatory

Why do you think that?

bijowo167618h ago

Because its cheaper to install these systems (a simple sensor and a chip), than try to resurrect dead pedestrians

iknowstuff18h ago

because there are a lot of externalities resulting from car crashes, the burden for which is not paid by the driver, manufacturer, or even their insurer.

1 more reply

cjs_ac23h ago· 2 in thread

> Those A pillars are MASSIVE liabilities in the UK where people just hop right out onto "zebra crossings" expecting the right-of-way to be yielded to them.

Those pedestrians do have the right of way; you need to have another look at the Highway Code.

pikerOP22h ago

This is such a British response.

Obviously that's what the law says, yes. But if they hop into someone's blind spot, it won't matter to their family much that they were in the right.

cjs_ac22h ago

It will matter to you when you’re sentenced, though.

Speaking as a fellow immigrant, your attitude is what gives immigrants a bad name worldwide.

1 more reply

baq21h ago· 2 in thread

Can’t see if there are pedestrians at the crossing? Slow down

pikerOP21h ago

It's not a speed issue. They're in a blind spot. Your brain tells you that you can see everything, but it's incorrect.

My experiences have been under slow circumstances only. And that makes sense because the individual "lingers" in the blind spot (and perhaps matches your speed) if you're going slow. If you were going fast, the blind spot would be moving much faster and you would see them.

baq21h ago

Not being able to see is a blind spot issue. Not slowing down because of it is… something else. Irresponsible is the most polite I can come up with.

1 more reply

quickthrowman21h ago· 1 in thread

I move my neck, head, and eyes to look around the A pillar in my vehicle to verify I don’t hit anybody. Yes, every time I start moving forward and there’s a pedestrian crossing in front of me.

I suggest doing the same thing unless your cervical vertebrae are fused together. If that’s the case, I understand your concern.

pikerOP21h ago

Yes, obviously this is what is required.

> and there’s a pedestrian crossing in front of me

This is wrong. You have to do it every time because the pedestrian is in your blind spot.

ErroneousBosh19h ago

> Those A pillars are MASSIVE liabilities in the UK where people just hop right out onto "zebra crossings" expecting the right-of-way to be yielded to them.

They're also just MASSIVE.

I keep hearing about how "SUVs" are dangerous for pedestrians because you can't see them, but I've got a far better view out the front of my elderly Range Rover than I do in for example the nice little Kia Niro EVs or Renault Zoes we had at work.

Modern cars have so much crap with sensors hanging off the middle of the windscreen you basically can't see anything that's not immediately in front of the driver, and then they have these huge thick door pillars that block the rest.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

15 comments · 5 top-level

bijowo167623h ago· 5 in thread

I like Teslas Forward Collision Warning system which alerts me if it sees the obstacle such as car, a corner, or pedestrian on a path.

there is also Active collision avoidance that will adjust vehicle if it senses a car on the nearby lane about to hit my side

I think these safety systems need to be mandatory

alamortsubite17h ago

I'm glad backup cameras are mandatory, though.

bijowo167615h ago

Nothing that cant be solved with another sensor inside cabin )))

1 more reply

ErroneousBosh19h ago

> I think these safety systems need to be mandatory

Why do you think that?

bijowo167618h ago

Because its cheaper to install these systems (a simple sensor and a chip), than try to resurrect dead pedestrians

iknowstuff18h ago

because there are a lot of externalities resulting from car crashes, the burden for which is not paid by the driver, manufacturer, or even their insurer.

1 more reply

cjs_ac23h ago· 2 in thread

> Those A pillars are MASSIVE liabilities in the UK where people just hop right out onto "zebra crossings" expecting the right-of-way to be yielded to them.

Those pedestrians do have the right of way; you need to have another look at the Highway Code.

pikerOP22h ago

This is such a British response.

Obviously that's what the law says, yes. But if they hop into someone's blind spot, it won't matter to their family much that they were in the right.

cjs_ac22h ago

It will matter to you when you’re sentenced, though.

Speaking as a fellow immigrant, your attitude is what gives immigrants a bad name worldwide.

1 more reply

baq21h ago· 2 in thread

Can’t see if there are pedestrians at the crossing? Slow down

pikerOP21h ago

It's not a speed issue. They're in a blind spot. Your brain tells you that you can see everything, but it's incorrect.

baq21h ago

Not being able to see is a blind spot issue. Not slowing down because of it is… something else. Irresponsible is the most polite I can come up with.

1 more reply

quickthrowman21h ago· 1 in thread

I move my neck, head, and eyes to look around the A pillar in my vehicle to verify I don’t hit anybody. Yes, every time I start moving forward and there’s a pedestrian crossing in front of me.

I suggest doing the same thing unless your cervical vertebrae are fused together. If that’s the case, I understand your concern.

pikerOP21h ago

Yes, obviously this is what is required.

> and there’s a pedestrian crossing in front of me

This is wrong. You have to do it every time because the pedestrian is in your blind spot.

ErroneousBosh19h ago

> Those A pillars are MASSIVE liabilities in the UK where people just hop right out onto "zebra crossings" expecting the right-of-way to be yielded to them.

They're also just MASSIVE.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse