Blind spot check on BRZ.

[brzadrian]

another blind spot that Ive noticed is when ur trying to turn left out of of a parking lot, the left side pillar of the windshield perfectly blocks oncoming traffic when ur trying to turn left, I almost got hit once, and another time i caught it just in time, and now I know so I always double check,I since then also raised my seat all the way up that seemed to have helped idk if anyone has had this problem as well or if its just me

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by brzadrian

another blind spot that Ive noticed is when ur trying to turn left out of of a parking lot, the left side pillar of the windshield perfectly blocks oncoming traffic when ur trying to turn left, I almost got hit once, and another time i caught it just in time, and now I know so I always double check,I since then also raised my seat all the way up that seemed to have helped idk if anyone has had this problem as well or if its just me

This applies to all current cars due to the extremely strong roof pillars required to pass the rollover tests.

In my Jaguar XF I can't even see the apex as the A pillar and door mirror obscure my view exactly when I need to see it.

At least the BRZ lets you see the apex which is more important than mere traffic.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by uEih

Exactly this, you should always be aware of your surroundings and know the cars around you at all times, enough to make blind lane changes because you know exactly where all the cars are at.

Even if you don't do that you shouldn't have any blind spots if you have your mirrors set up correctly. I find it once a car leaves my side mirror the car will be by my side already and visible. So if a car is in the normal blind spot the car should be seen either in the mirror or through the window.

That's fine in they entered the blind spot from behind. But the real problem is when they come into the blind spot from several lanes over such that they never were in your mirrors to begin with (had this happen to me multiple times in the past).

And since your hands tend to follow your head when driving, you do not want to have to do any exaggerated head turning to check lanes as you're likely to start steering the car out of the lane when you do that.

Thus mirror placement is just as important as situational awareness (condition yellow). Most folks go all day (even driving) in condition white, oblivious to their surroundings. Don't do that! Condition yellow (cautious state of alertness/awareness) all day, especially while driving.

Cf, Cooper's color codes (normally applied to armed self-defense, the first 3 levels have remarkable parallel to normal driving): http://www.policeone.com/police-trai...nal-awareness/

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[Evil Jesus]

I basically drive my car as if I'm riding a motorcycle. Hyper-aware and always expecting the worst out of my fellow drivers.

[whaap]

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I basically drive my car as if I'm riding a motorcycle. Hyper-aware and always expecting the worst out of my fellow drivers.

Yes, riding motorcycles will quickly teach a person what defensive driving is.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I basically drive my car as if I'm riding a motorcycle. Hyper-aware and always expecting the worst out of my fellow drivers.

On the other hand, anyone using this method of blind spot elimination must be aware that it works for vehicles like cars but not for motorcycles or bicycles. It also doesn't work if you are merging into another lane on a slight concave curve.

As for shoulder checking it is key to have situational awareness. You need to constantly monitor your mirrors and identify and remember what you see and its trajectory. Updating this information is key to safe elimination of 95% of shoulder checking. There is not yet any method which is 100 % effective and you need to be aware of when a shoulder check is necessary.

Unusually, the shoulder check you need to do most often is to the drivers side and you need to be looking only for vehicles right next to you not revealed in the mirrors.

Vehicle drivers should always be alert for our friends on motorcycles and bicycles. We have protection from mistakes that they do not have. Defensive driving skills include looking out for the other guy as much as it is looking for the other guy. In fact, if we all drive defensively the accident rate will be minimal.

[Evil Jesus]

I'm always aware of all motorists/cyclists/pedestrians. That was the "hyper-aware" portion of my statement. I'm in the car to drive the car, not to scratch my balls and eat a donut.

[Seattle_FT86]

I have always installed a Wink mirror in all my cars, makes it easier for me to see more

[BRZ-OwnzJo0]

Not sure why people freak out so much about the "blind spots". First of all, adjust your seat properly. Unless you are like 6 foot 6, you should be close enough to the steering wheel that your seat does not block the second window and you should keep the passenger seat forward enough so that you can clearly see out that one as well.

Even if you CAN'T do that. There is no blind spot in this car. If you have a blind spot you fail at adjusting your side mirrors. If you can't see the car in your side mirror you should easily be able to see it if you turn your head slightly and use your peripheral vision to look out the front windows towards the back of your car.

[Turkish]

Simple seat and mirror adjustments make blind spots disappear. Always glance over your shoulder before changing lanes. I know I'm a broken record here, but the blind spots can be worked around.

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[qoncept]

Suberman really said it best. Blindspot or not, if you're always paying attention you're going to know what's going on around you. If you are aware you'll know when someone is a blindspot.

[itisthumper]

Originally Posted by 1Cor10:23

Felt the same way when I got my frs. I adjusted my mirrors outward such that I can barely see the rear end of the car when I stick my head as close to window as I can (comfortably, not face against glass haha.) this allows you to effectively catch your blind spot in the mirror. If it's not in the mirror it's already beside you and you should be able to see in periphery.

To be honest, should be set like this for all cars, it's much safer. Only problem is that it makes it more difficult to back into spots with mirrors as it's harder to track your rear corners.

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I've always set my side view mirrors like this. I don't know why others don't.

[White64Goat]

Originally Posted by Myv

Buy the RexSpeed convex polarized mirrors, totally worth it, make sure to turn your head to check nonetheless.

You can see forever in the drivers side mirror. They take a little getting used to, but after that, they're awesome.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I'm always aware of all motorists/cyclists/pedestrians. That was the "hyper-aware" portion of my statement. I'm in the car to drive the car, not to scratch my balls and eat a donut.

I realize that. I quoted you to encourage all of us to basically think like an experienced motorcycle rider and look out for each other. The experienced motorcycle rider watches for any and every mistake a car driver might make. If the car drivers would do the same many fewer motorcyclists would be hit.

Using mirrors only to cover the blind spots works but only if you are looking for big objects like cars. Single track vehicles are very narrow and usually very short. They can disappear into what looks like no blind spot but still is for such small vehicles. Curves are also a challenge for the no shoulder check situation.

Shoulder checking can be substantially reduced but never eliminated.