Blind Spots 5/18/12
Cars designed with high trunks and hoods and low, sloping rooflines give a sleek appearance on the outside but can cause visibility problems from the inside. “Car styles and trends have made it harder for drivers to see out. It’s a problem not only in traffic but also in driveways and parking lots.” Wide rear pillars and smaller back windows make it especially hard to see out the back, even when you turn around. Tom Mutchler, “More than 200 people die every year in accidents by drivers who didn’t see them ¾ and many of those are children.” Consumer Reports tests rear visibility and finds some seriously lacking, especially for drivers who are short.
15283424The Hyundai Sonata sedan on the left has a blind zone of 21 feet. For the Toyota Sienna minivan, it’s 22 feet. The Dodge Durango SUV’s blind zone is 37 feet. And with the Chevy Avalanche pickup truck, it’s a frightening 50 feet! More and more cars are coming with the option of a built-in backup camera, which can really help improve rear visibility. And you don’t have to spend top dollar to get one. Tom Mutchler “You don’t have to buy a luxury vehicle to get a built-in backup camera. We’ve tested cars that cost under 20-thousand dollars that have one.” But be aware, some, like the one in this rear-view mirror, are small. And others don’t display fast enough to see what’s behind you before you back up. Any camera will help, but an ideal screen is large and centrally located like this. .”
