tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post4429538123855817966..comments2024-03-17T20:47:31.628-07:00Comments on Salem Breakfast on Bikes: Elderly Man Killed in Unmarked Crosswalk on Center St: More Death at 30mphSalem Breakfast on Bikeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618055627843335993noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-53996660244495555832015-01-17T10:15:07.179-08:002015-01-17T10:15:07.179-08:00Clearly there is work to be done on all sides. Dri...Clearly there is work to be done on all sides. Drivers slow down and be aware there might be bkiers or walkers in the road; wear bright clothes or wear a flasher to be better seen; and make roads safer.<br /><br />That said, one thing that I have noticed in addition to all of these things not being done, is that newer cars have more blind spots. That is probably why many newer models now come with backup cameras as standard equipment.<br /><br />My car is a 2013 Hyunda. The safety record is supposed to be better because the car manufacturer has beefed up the support bars at the window posts and over the doors. This 'safety cage' helps in a crash. However, as a result there are more blind spots for the driver.<br /><br />I measured from the edge of the passenger window post to the tip of the side mirror and found that it was 15 inches! This is 15 inches of space on the passenger side of the car that when I am driving, I can't see a person walking or on a bike. This is in daylight. At night it is virtually impossible to see something unless it is lit up.<br /><br />Reflective wear only works if there is light to reflect off of it. If you are off to the side of the car on a street with poor lighting, that reflective material is worthless.<br /><br />People think that if I can see the car, it can see me. So not true!<br /><br />I have almost hit someone 4 times in this new car in the less than 2 years that I have been drivin. Not that I am a bad driver, but because I can't see what I am used to seeing.<br /><br />So, I am now trying to drive more cautiously both at night and during the day. I am now aware that if a person is in the crosswalk and I am turning, they can be in my blind spot...as an example, I was turning onto Lancaster from the Mall one time and a person was walking in the crosswalk with the light when I almost hit her. What was happening was that as I turned slowly, she was walking at about the same rate, and she was behind that window post the whole time. It was not until she was right in front of me that I was able to see her. Luckily I was going very slowly and was able to stop. She was on her phone texting or something and only looked up when I stopped about a foot from her! Yikes!<br /><br />So, there is a lot of caution and work for all of us. Drive carefully. Be watchful! Wear flashing lights ..both front and back...and let's provide space between pedestrians, bikes and cars!Susann Kaltwassernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-12084324698678782212015-01-16T20:02:10.213-08:002015-01-16T20:02:10.213-08:00Last night I was driving the kids home from daycar...Last night I was driving the kids home from daycare (this time of year it's not possible to bike them. When they're older I will) and was driving on Market street past Grant Elementary. It was dark and raining and there were a number of cars coming from the opposite direction so I couldn't see well. As I was going through the crosswalk I realized that a woman was in the crosswalk and almost to my side. Fortunately I was driving slower than the posted speed limit, which I do-much to the annoyance of drivers behind me. I was also actively looking for pedestrians.<br />That being said the woman should have had a brighter jacket. If a hyper-vigilant driver, driving slow on a good traditional street and who totally supports and understands what it's like to be the person outside the car has a hard time seeing a pedestrian it becomes more understandable BUT NOT MORE EXCUSABLE for an average driver to not see a pedestrian.<br /><br />Ultimately the best way to protect against drivers is to make the driving environment more beneficial to non-drivers. Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-65904199330470692462015-01-16T18:43:30.929-08:002015-01-16T18:43:30.929-08:00Time for some white "ghost shoes" to be ...Time for some white "ghost shoes" to be spray painted on the streets wherever Carhead has claimed a victim. Who's got a stencil?Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12731260619465817652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666195730630249633.post-67339893228249568832015-01-16T17:14:51.680-08:002015-01-16T17:14:51.680-08:00I completely agree that the media and police need ...I completely agree that the media and police need to emphasize that motorists need to exercise caution as well as the usual lectures for pedestrians! I am going to miss the Crosslands -- what a great example they set for their dedication to walking instead of driving. A great loss.Margaretnoreply@blogger.com