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mikeash | karma 74524 | avg karma 3.52 · 2017-04-29 11:45:08

I prefer solving it through the low-tech expedient of turning my head.

I think rear cameras are wonderful. They make reversing maneuvers so much easier, and cover a blind spot that is impossible to cover in any other way short of getting out of the car.

But I don't get the worry over side blind spots. They're only blind spots if you keep your head pointed resolutely forward.

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ethbro | karma 13805 | avg karma 2.91 · 2017-04-29 17:54:28+00:00

If you can see through an overly wide and poorly placed B pillar, more power to you.

It's been my experience that the majority of drivers can't. And not all cars are well designed with regards to visibility.

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mikeash | karma 74524 | avg karma 3.52 · 2017-04-29 13:14:40

Lean forward so you can see around it. If you can't position your head so that you can view your blind spot (possibly with the aid of mirrors) then you can't drive safely and need to adjust your seat or get a new car.

ethbro | karma 13805 | avg karma 2.91 · 2017-04-29 18:44:15+00:00

The problem isn't sample size 1 (e.g. you, me, or any individual HN reader). It's "drivers" in aggregate.

My doing anything isn't going to prevent the 800k+ blind spot accidents or ~300 blind spot fatalities in the US annually.

My point is mandating an awareness aid that it's now economical to produce might.

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mikeash | karma 74524 | avg karma 3.52 · 2017-04-29 19:11:16+00:00

I didn't realize you were talking about the aggregate. With statements like "If you can see through an overly wide and poorly placed B pillar, more power to you" and "not all cars are well designed with regards to visibility" I thought you were trying to say that my strategy cannot work in general, not merely that people won't bother.