Today I hit a German bicyclist
08-10-12, 05:14 PM
#1
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Today I hit a German bicyclist
I have had my 2010 450h for about 2 months and my only complaint is the blind spot caused by the biggest side mirrors I have ever seen on an SUV. Today I came to a 4 way stop on a quiet country road in Pennsylvania, looked both ways, and moved forward at my new slow speed to increase my mpg. Suddenly a cyclist was in front of the car and I knocked him to the ground. State Police, trip to emergency room, and then a repair at the bike shop and in my opinion, all because I did not see him at the stop sign to my left because the mirror filled my line of sight to my left. Also a problem to my right but not as extreme. I keep thinking my height 5' 1 1/2" does not help. I think I am as high on the seat as it will allow so has anyone had the same experience and does anyone have a suggestion? If not, I think the car is going....way too scary for me.
The biker was a tourist travelling with his father and brother from Boston to Washington,DC. They were so sweet.
The biker was a tourist travelling with his father and brother from Boston to Washington,DC. They were so sweet.
Last edited by Lindareal; 08-10-12 at 05:17 PM. Reason: adding comment
08-10-12, 06:31 PM
#2
No, I don't play soccer!
Lindareal, welcome to CL. I moved your thread over to the 3rd gen forum. Sorry to hear about your accident. It sounds like the bicyclist wasn't seriously hurt. You have to be grateful for that. If it makes you feel better, I had a similar incident happen to me a few weeks ago. I didn't see someone walking in the crosswalk to the left of me. I stopped in time but it was pretty scary. I can only suggest doing what I do which is to check to the left and right probably more times than needed. And then proceed slowly.
08-10-12, 06:40 PM
#3
Linda, a hearty 2nd welcome to the forum and also grateful it wasn't worse. When I got my car a little over three years ago I noticed the front quarter (both sides) blind spot immediately and just started leaning my head left and right to see around (especially at stops). It seems annoying at 1st but later you don't even realize you're doing it.
It's a great car but like almost all cars there is something we'd like to see different. But it's manageable. I'm a shorty too but a couple of inches higher at 5'4".
It's a great car but like almost all cars there is something we'd like to see different. But it's manageable. I'm a shorty too but a couple of inches higher at 5'4".
Last edited by Cruiter; 08-10-12 at 06:41 PM. Reason: correction
08-10-12, 08:19 PM
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Thanks for putting my post in the correct spot and thanks for the feedback. I love the car with the one exception. I received a reply from Jim Myers who has my exact car including the color. He is a little taller than I and he suggests leaning forward ....says you get so use to it that you do it without thinking. The German e-mailed me from a pub in Newark,DE where they are spending tonight. I pray he wakes up and is able to pedal. Again thanks for the support.
08-10-12, 08:56 PM
#5
I have to do the same thing as Jim when I'm coming out of the parking garage where I work. Monthly parkers in my garage have a sticker with a 4-digit number on it that you have to put on the lower left corner of the windshield so that when you come up to the cashier, she/he looks at your sticker so that you're not charged for the daily rate for parking in the garage. Of course, the cashier is in a booth, and between her craning her neck to see what the number is on my sticker and me craning my neck to see when she gives me the go ahead to leave is a daily thing to deal with when I park in that garage.
I do feel that it can be a bit more challenging to park in a parking spot with the 2010 RX, than it was with the '07 RX.
I have a hard time judging if I'm correctly between the lines.
I do feel that it can be a bit more challenging to park in a parking spot with the 2010 RX, than it was with the '07 RX.
I have a hard time judging if I'm correctly between the lines.
08-10-12, 09:04 PM
#6
I understand that its the mirror (physically) which blocks your view, but this is a good place for me to recommend something I am using - Available from any car shop - They really help and are very inexpensive
Hope everyone feels better
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6142991401P
Hope everyone feels better
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM6142991401P
Last edited by SAPNY; 08-11-12 at 09:52 PM.
08-10-12, 09:57 PM
#7
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the problem is the think A pillar and even though they put that small window in the corner, it doesnt really help. Sorry to hear about it but glad they didnt press charges
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08-11-12, 08:08 AM
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A-pillar Obstructs Vision
I've found that, not only is the A-pillar quite thick, but it's located relatively far forward in my line of sight (compared to other cars I've driven.) At stop signs, I've taken to moving my head left and right to look "around" the A-pillar before concluding that there's nobody "hiding" behind the A-pillar before proceeding.
08-11-12, 08:28 AM
#9
Instructor
At 5'4" I have the seat raised and have no issues. I actually like the bigger mirrors compared to 2nd gen. I guess I've never noticed the head bobbing motions while looking around at stop signs. I have to thank my husband for that and taking me up in tail draggers where you cannot see straight ahead. Glad no one was seriously injured.
08-11-12, 04:13 PM
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Thanks for the support but
Actually it is NOT the pillar ....it is the mirror that blocks my view. I am trying to add a photo that I took at the scene of the accident and put the camera where my line of sight would be.
08-11-12, 08:34 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Can i be the devil's advocate here and blame the cyclist for not Stopping in a 4 way stop sign?
or was he there first before you reach the stop sign?
if it was the second case, then may i suggest looking LEFT and Right quickly before you reach the STOP sign.
a Booster seat will also help you.
Personally, i like the big side mirror.
or was he there first before you reach the stop sign?
if it was the second case, then may i suggest looking LEFT and Right quickly before you reach the STOP sign.
a Booster seat will also help you.
Personally, i like the big side mirror.
Last edited by markrivers; 08-12-12 at 04:24 PM.
08-12-12, 06:01 AM
#12
I'm 6' with a long torso, so I've never noticed how much the mirrors could block your view. I sit with the seat all the way down and I have clear sight lines all around the front of the car. Perhaps sitting on a pillow would help. My girlfriend is 5'0" and she has to sit on a pillow in her CRV to be able to see.
08-12-12, 09:59 AM
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08-12-12, 11:04 AM
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its just the nature of the beast, we cant do anything about it. If the mirrors were smaller (which Id personally dislike), then blind spots from the side/rear of the vehicle would be enormous as well.
08-12-12, 05:30 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
I don't have an RX but I've driven them plenty of times. I don't think the mirror is any larger than other SUV mirrors, in fact I can think of several midsized SUVs with larger mirrors. Our Jeep has similarly sized mirrors.
If the cyclist came to that stop sign at the same time as you, you had the right of way and he was in the wrong. In my experience bikers often ignore the rules of the road, but they are just vehicles when it comes to right of way.
If the cyclist came to that stop sign at the same time as you, you had the right of way and he was in the wrong. In my experience bikers often ignore the rules of the road, but they are just vehicles when it comes to right of way.