Thick barred cages

[Jack Miller]

Modern cars have thicker pillars than older cars. This strengthens the roof and provides room for side curtain air bags, both of which protect the occupants better in a serious crash. However, they also make it harder to see out of the car and increase the blind spots. Are you noticing that cage drivers are noticing riders less in recent years and do you think the thicker pillars are contributing?

[Rhys]

You have to look before you can see!

[2Seat_Terror]

I'm quite convinced it's not just the pillars that are thicker these days. :rolleyes:



But yes, you're absolutely right. I drove a friends Cedia (ugh) recently, I could hardly see to drive around a corner!

[oneofsix]

the thicker pillars do make it harder to see. I don't think they have anything to do with strength, just thicker to house the air bags so they can get the 5 star safety rating. Anyone else see the conflict between higher safety rating and less visibility? :facepalm:

[Katman]

Lucky motorcycles don't have thick window pillars that block our view.

[Jack Miller]

If you've got plenty of money you can have modern safety and a thin A piller.
Jaguar got it right with the XF: http://boronextrication.com/2009/08/2009-jaguar-xf-has-boron/
But it's not guaranteed. They got it wrong with the XJ:
"like so many modern vehicles, the XJ has vision-blocking A-pillars, which can make it tough to look through a corner."
http://www.edmunds.com/jaguar/xj/2011/road-test.html

[imdying]

However, they also make it harder to see out of the car and increase the blind spots. Are you noticing that cage drivers are noticing riders less in recent years and do you think the thicker pillars are contributing?You have this backwards. You aren't supposed to worry about whether they can see you or not, you're supposed to be assuming they can't. Ever.

[ducatilover]

I hate A-pillars in more or less any modern cars....
My '73 Rover had next to no A-pillar :yes: and was nice to drive. Granted I'd die if a snowflake hit it....but, atleast I'd see it coming.

[bogan]

Drove an MG-F (convertible) a few times, trucks could hide behind those A-pillars :facepalm:

[gatch]

It's not the thicker A pillars doing the damage, it's people being too shit to turn their heads the necessary 60* to take a proper look.

[Shadows]

The newer Commodores are particularly bad because of all the airbag bullshit.

[Edbear]

Agree with most of the comments. Our Kizashi has thicker A-pillars due to the air-bags but if one is intelligent enough, which rules out most car drivers :facepalm:, one adapts and makes sure one looks where one is going.

Being a (now former), biker, I am very conscious about how easy it is to hide a bike behind a pillar or mirror. Heck, you can hide a truck behind a mirror! Just common sense, (RIP), to be aware of who/what may be where. :yes:

[scumdog]

Modern cars have thicker pillars than older cars. This strengthens the roof and provides room for side curtain air bags, both of which protect the occupants better in a serious crash. However, they also make it harder to see out of the car and increase the blind spots. Are you noticing that cage drivers are noticing riders less in recent years and do you think the thicker pillars are contributing?

Yup, the work Commodes are particularly bad both with the A and C pillars.

The air-bags are a great idea but IMHO should not be at the expense of visibility and safety.

[george formby]

We look after a PoS jeep cherokee for a friend & you can't see jack out of it. Awful bloody thing, you really have to look twice & compensate for the bad visibility.

Should be a law against it.:yes:

[Virago]

Yup, the work Commodes are particularly bad both with the A and C pillars...

I think that's one place where all-round visibility is not really necessary...:innocent:

[HenryDorsetCase]

I notice it when I am DRIVING.

when I'm riding I assume they only look so they can then target me

[Jack Miller]

I notice it when I am DRIVING.

when I'm riding I assume they only look so they can then target me

How do you ever actually get through an intersection then? Even for the most defensive rider there comes a time when you have to assume that you've been seen, unless you stop at every intersection and wait 'till it is completely clear all ways regardless of who has the right of way. And then you'll probably be hit from behind.

[Pseudonym]

The research undertaken by some UK roading and safety insight group found that the average driver spends a staggering 0.3 of a second looking to the right at intersections…
How far do you move in 0.3 of a second at 50kph?
And would that distance be enough to clear the shadow of the pillar?
And if they are creeping forward as most impatient drivers do, how badly will this reduce the possibility of being spotted as the pillar shadow angle is moving with you?

I once saw a truck go into the drivers side of a car and really seriously reduce its resale value.
Should have given way…

But if they can’t see trucks?

[Pseudonym]

How do you ever actually get through an intersection then? Even for the most defensive rider there comes a time when you have to assume that you've been seen, unless you stop at every intersection and wait 'till it is completely clear all ways regardless of who has the right of way. And then you'll probably be hit from behind.

This ^^^ is what we have to look forward to when the “give way to the right” law changes.
Or though, with it being changed and people now aware of it and exercising more caution it may have the effect of temporarily reducing the crash statistics at intersections.

Be so refreshing to hear “I forgot the new give way thingy and just went” as you lie on the road with a smashed leg instead of “sorry mate, didn’t see you”
Or “But he had the right of way, so when he stopped I ran over him caus I was turning too”

Fuck I’m cynical tonight…