Sign blocking creating blind spot

[thomas]

Just emailed the council. On the way home I went past a side junction and there was a car waiting, but my view of the driver was blocked by some local car parks' sign pointing down the road. It actually did worry me a bit as I assumed the driver wouldn't of been able to see me and might pull out in front of me.

Seems kind of petty, as it's only a tiny little sign, but hopefully they'll get the parking company to put it elsewhere. I think legally, they're not allowed to put the sign there...but I wasn't going to start debating that in the email.

The effect of the sign is probably similar to when a car's windscreen pillars blocks the driver's view of a cyclist/motorcyclist.

Have to see what happens. Norwich council always seem quite good at replying to emails though.

I've attached a pic from my helmet camera to the thread. It's quite low quality though, but see if you can spot it

 

[Twenty Inch]

I have similar on my commute - council has put flower boxes on the railings, creating a lovely blind spot at a t-junction where people are inclined to blat down in an attempt to get through both sets of lights...

 

[thomas]

I have similar on my commute - council has put flower boxes on the railings, creating a lovely blind spot at a t-junction where people are inclined to blat down in an attempt to get through both sets of lights...

Hopefully as it's a private car park the council will just tell them to remove it and not put it back up. If not I might just take some scissors with me and cut it off

 

[Rhythm Thief]

When you drive a lorry you get used to this ... almost all junctions have roadsigns positioned well out of the way of car drivers, but right bang in the middle of a truck driver's eyeline.

 

[thomas]

When you drive a lorry you get used to this ... almost all junctions have roadsigns positioned well out of the way of car drivers, but right bang in the middle of a truck driver's eyeline.

I assume at least, that most truck drivers are aware of that (and take it into account), where as I reckon very, very few car drivers would even think that there could be a motor/cyclist behind a little sign or their window pillar.

Not saying it's not a pain in the arse for you though!

 

[marinyork]

Doesn't look too bad to me. I'd just move the sign myself or have they chained it?

 

[thomas]

Doesn't look too bad to me. I'd just move the sign myself or have they chained it?

I've no idea. Probably just some cable ties.

It doesn't really look that bad. I don't know what it would be like from the driver's perspective, but from mine I couldn't see the driver at all so it would make sense that I couldn't be seen either.

I figure, tell the council, as if I just move it they'll move it back. If they get told to take it down, then it might be a bit different.

Now I know it's there (or at least sometimes there) I'll just take that into account when going past the junction.

 

[sheddy]

Was it installed higher up and has slipped down ?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I assume at least, that most truck drivers are aware of that (and take it into account), where as I reckon very, very few car drivers would even think that there could be a motor/cyclist behind a little sign or their window pillar.

Not saying it's not a pain in the arse for you though!

Oh, you're aware of it, as all you can see is the back of a roadsign. And teh only way to see what's coming (cars, buses, bikes, everything) in some cases is to gingerly push the nose of your truck out into the traffic.

 

[thomas]

I doubt that's as bad as it looks, in that pic you can see the driver so you would hope that they would see you?

The picture isn't that great. A few moments before hand was a lot worst, but my camera wasn't pointing the right way . No matter what the picture shows, when I was cycling past I don't think the driver would have been able to see me well, but they did pull up to the junction slowly so had already seen me.

Certainly, some drivers might look, I'll be hidden behind the sign, they won't see any car/lorry taking up the whole lane, so they pull out. If I've got a bit of speed up (or a motorcyclist was going past), then that wouldn't really be appreciated.

I wouldn't normally fuss about something like this, but when I went past the sign I felt like I needed to take a lot more care. I've never noticed it before today however.