jmaccyd
Well-Known Member
http://motortorque.askaprice.com/ne...n-vans-suvs-pose-39threat39-to-road-users.asp
Seems to ring true of what I have seen over the years
Seems to ring true of what I have seen over the years
The threat of large A pillars
- Thread starter jmaccyd
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
CopperBrompton
Bicycle: a means of transport between cake-stops
- Location
- London
Yep, we've seen a big increase in passive safety (rollover protection, etc) at the cost of active safety (seeing where we're going).
I hate thick A-pillars. At roundabouts, you have to do a little dance in the seat on the curved approach to ensure there's nothing in your blindspot.
I hate thick A-pillars. At roundabouts, you have to do a little dance in the seat on the curved approach to ensure there's nothing in your blindspot.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
At the end of the day the driver should be aware that it is larger, and should drive accordingly. Take the extra few seconds at each junction can save lives. no need to rush, we have a whole life to live.
any incidents caused by these is driving without due care and attention imo.
any incidents caused by these is driving without due care and attention imo.
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
There is far to much effort put into trying to make cars safer, it is not the cars that are the problem, it is the drivers...
Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
Test driving an XM, I pulled out of a T-junction in front of someone whom I simply didn't see, thanks to that great big A-pillar. It put me right off buying one.
Bristol Dave
Active Member
- Location
- Bristol
I find that the large pillars make me more aware. I know I can't see properly so do the 'Lovejoy Dance' to make sure I've had a good look.
BTW, I really enjoyed reading your LEJOG website Ben. Well done.
BD
BTW, I really enjoyed reading your LEJOG website Ben. Well done.
BD
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
Aye.. the pillars of my motor require the deelybopper head action to ensure safety.
Sadly, it's not that new a problem and there have been many reports of fatalities resulting from the increased "safety" of the occupants of the cage. This report is about 8 years old, for instance.
I remember an article in Bike a few years ago that said the A Pillars were generally thicker than European legislation allowed, but the manufacturers got away with it because the law didn't include the quarter-light pillars or something like that. Can't find any reference to it now, though.
Oh, hold on, it might be somewhere in this report, but I haven't had a chance to read all of it. There seems to be some reference to the issue about half way down page 19, including reference to a Bike article from 2004.... gee, time flies! The Euro legislation allows to 6 degrees of obscuration, which is enough to blank out a car at 50 yards so what hope a bike or motorbike.
OK, I've found a PDF of the original article.
I remember an article in Bike a few years ago that said the A Pillars were generally thicker than European legislation allowed, but the manufacturers got away with it because the law didn't include the quarter-light pillars or something like that. Can't find any reference to it now, though.
Oh, hold on, it might be somewhere in this report, but I haven't had a chance to read all of it. There seems to be some reference to the issue about half way down page 19, including reference to a Bike article from 2004.... gee, time flies! The Euro legislation allows to 6 degrees of obscuration, which is enough to blank out a car at 50 yards so what hope a bike or motorbike.
OK, I've found a PDF of the original article.
Origamist
Legendary Member
I never thought I'd post a Safe Speed link, but here's a good pdf from Bike magazine about A-pillars:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/bike005.pdf
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/bike005.pdf
You can thank the obsession with the 'rigid passenger safety cell' and chasing ratings in the Euro-N-Cap scheme for beefing up of the A pillars in cars.
Thise who boast about the star rating of their cars might want to consider that they present a significant danger to others due to the restricted vision which their cars offer them.
Thise who boast about the star rating of their cars might want to consider that they present a significant danger to others due to the restricted vision which their cars offer them.
IMO, a blinkered view (excuse the pun) there, VN.
Some 5* cars have no issues with the A-pillars and other lower-rated cars have big problems. The MX-5, for instance, cited in that Bike article is only 4*, as is the Honda Jazz, Peugeot 206, Audi TT etc. The Zafira and Freelander which are also cited are only 3* cars.
Some 5* cars have no issues with the A-pillars and other lower-rated cars have big problems. The MX-5, for instance, cited in that Bike article is only 4*, as is the Honda Jazz, Peugeot 206, Audi TT etc. The Zafira and Freelander which are also cited are only 3* cars.
CopperBrompton
Bicycle: a means of transport between cake-stops
- Location
- London
Thanks, Dave. Seems a long time ago now! I shall have to do it again someday. :-)Bristol Dave said:
Norm said:
I got my reference off this article which digs a bit deaper than some geezer from Autoglass
. They slag the Altea off as being the worst offender. Spen King garners a lot of respect. He really was top of the pile when it came to car design in his day, and designed the original Range Rover amongst other things.I can categorically state that forward and side facing vision past the A pillars in the old Mitsi 4x4 is far better than the A class merc
