Careful when you backup use your mirrors

I've had the same "slipping off the pedal" problem like FishHawk... in my case, the accellerator pedal. Seems like this makes a case for adding the pedal overlays which I've seen on eBay and other after market vendors. This happens to me when I'm wearing leather-soled shoes.

 

Nothing like the back-up camera I guess :-D

 

The problem with using just the rear view mirror, or back-up camera is that it does not allow for a wide field of view or good depth perception.

This is going to sound really cold hearted, but if you no longer have the ability to turn your head around and keep your foot on the proper pedal, you should probably give up driving...

Keith

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FishHawk @ Jan 9 2007, 06:50 AM) [snapback]372963[/snapback]</div>

Sorry to hear that. I still think you are safer turning your head and looking over your right shoulder, especially when you are close to other objects, I seem to get a better sense of just how close the obstacles are than from just the mirror. I gues you could keep one foot on the brake and one on the gas, too, maybe.

 

<_< In light aircraft training, I was taught to be a real "RUBBER NECK" - twisting my head to see all I could possibly see. I do the same in my Prius, mirrors and backup camera notwithstanding. the mirrors have limited viewing area and the backup camera's fisheye lens distorts the view and distances. I do find that I need to clean the backup camera lens after driving in rain - even a little gunk on that lens reduces the view a lot.

Several years back, I did reset my outside mirrors to provide a more panoramic view of the adjacent lanes on my right and left sides - per "Defensive Driving" recommendations. I set the driver's side mirror by leaning my head against the left window glass and adjusting the mirror so I can barely see the left back corner of the car. I set the passenger side mirror by leaning my head just over the center console and setting the right mirror in a similar position. This provides a little overlap with the interior mirror and reduces, nearly avoids, blind spots.

 

I must have the same neck as a duck or a goose, I can twist it around pretty good. I had my foot slip off the brake once, many years ago.

I had just purchased my 1984 Ford F-150 and was in the bush, working for a forestry management company for one year. I had a few chainsaws and a large diesel tank in the back, and put down the tailgate. I had to move my truck so left the tailgate down and hopped in.

Plenty wet and a lot of mud on my boots. I had just started backing up and my foot slipped onto the gas pedal. In a panic I floored the pedal and hit a tree with the tailgate at about 15 MPH. Oh boy was that a mess, tailgate trashed, body shop had to work on the box hinge point, etc. Fortunately the tailgate bent and absorbed a lot of impact.

I just write it up in my "s*** happens" ledger, learn from it, and move on.

 

The Prius has *nasty* blind spots. (In its defense, all hatchbacks do!) IMHO, one is definitely better using the mirrors, the backup camera and turning his or her head when backing up. From experience with all of my cars, I definitely trust turning around more than I do any mirrors. In any case, why would your foot be on the accelerator when backing up? You said that your body has a tendency to move your legs when you turn. I've never found that to be the case. Your right foot should be just above the brake, and your left foot should be on the left foot rest. (The car doesn't have a clutch!) Your safety officer is tripping! His advice only makes sense for LARGE trucks and semis, not mid-sized hatchbacks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(allargon @ Jan 11 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]374480[/snapback]</div>

I agree, use all three. I also was wondering why one needed to accelerate out of the parking space, since it is an automatic.

In any case, sorry to hear about the incident.

 

Turning your head and looking backwards over your right shoulder while backing up is something that is specifically checked during a CA driving test. The examiner can fail you if you only use your mirrors.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tech_Guy @ Jan 9 2007, 09:43 AM) [snapback]373097[/snapback]</div>

I agree, and I'd also question the person's judgement who failed to realize he was posting bad advice on driving (in direct conflict with what's in the CA driver's handbook, and probably many other states as well). I guess it just demonstrates how easy it is to get a driver's license in the USA.

 

It's okay, FishHawk, there are people out there with >bigger, driving issues<. Just pratice backing up in an empty lot and some cones if you need to brush up on your reversing skill.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Jan 13 2007, 07:27 PM) [snapback]375290[/snapback]</div>

:blink: Holy shift! Is that video for real? I swear it looked like someone kept running the video forwards and backwards. Must have been on some serious medication (the driver, not me).

Thanks for sharing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tech_Guy @ Jan 9 2007, 11:43 AM) [snapback]373097[/snapback]</div>

It's cruel... but i agree


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Jan 9 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]373187[/snapback]</div>

I agree with this technique. I don't adjust them the exact same way... but i do take not of cars and object passing me as i drive. At low speeds i can tap the mirrors while driving...

It's simple.. a car goes from the front of me.. into my parifial vision.. and then into the side mirror vision.. as soon as the car starts to leave my side mirrors, they enter my rear view... everything overlaps. I don't need to see the side of my car because i pay attention.. and a car won't fit in the "3 feet wide gap" that lays beside my car.. except a human.. in that case.. i'm trying to hit them...

kidding of course...


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Jan 13 2007, 06:27 PM) [snapback]375290[/snapback]</div>

wow.. that's an all time new low.

I have seen an old lady do this though. Not that many times.. only 4 times or so.. and not that much of a gap. It seems they can't figure out that when you go in reverse.. you have to turn it the other way... and brake before you hit something. She was pulling out of a spot.. at least she was facing the right way.. but she just kept hitting the car.. once her car stopped going.. she pulled forward again. poor cars.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tech_Guy @ Jan 9 2007, 12:43 PM) [snapback]373097[/snapback]</div>

When I read the original topic and wrote the above comment, I was thinking of an incident here in California about a year ago. A senior citizen was driving a car and his foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas (he was apparently somewhat startled and confused). Unfortunately he drove into a crowd of people and killed several of them.

The question comes to mind: "Is the driving privilege of an individual more important than the safety and right to live of many people?" I remember several years ago, we had to take away the car and license of one of my family. Everybody in the family (except him) knew he was no longer mentally capable of driving safely. This may seem cruel, but for his well being and the safety of others, we had to do it.

Sometimes the simplest decisions are the most difficult to execute.

Sincerely,

Keith

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ Jan 13 2007, 08:28 PM) [snapback]375314[/snapback]</div>

Could you please explain that paragraph starting with "It's simple----" Are you passing someone or is someone passing you? How can they enter your rear view mirror it they're in the front of your car?
Mary

 

One of the things I learned at skid school (advanced driver training) is never to use the accelerator when backing up (assuming you are in an automatic car), just to idol backwards, that that decreases incident rates, and its not that much slower...

 

If you are having difficulty keeping your feet on the proper pedals you should NOT be driving!
Especially the brake pedal, for crying out loud the thing is like 6 inchers long!
That's the number one problem with driving in America, drivers not capable or qualified to drive their cars (or any others for that matter).

All people do is balme the design of the vehicle. You can't design anything safe enough for the lowest common denominator, because it keeps getting lower.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate @ Feb 15 2007, 12:56 PM) [snapback]390994[/snapback]</div>

Are you new to America?

Everything you do wrong here is someone else's fault.

If you hit the gas and run over someone behind you, it was the car, not you being a dumbass.

Welcome to America, hope you enjoy your stay!

Or, welcome to the new America... I'm not sure it's going to be the place it was just 30 years ago...