How could I improve?
Discussion
Dear all,
I had a very close call yesterday, but I'm not sure what I could have done to prevent it.
My car is parked behind my house and I have to drive about 30 feet down a lane and out over a dropped kerb to reach the road. There's a big bush to my right and a tall garage building to my left as I emerge, so I just can't see the pavement.
Being very mindful of this, I try to edge forward very very slowly until I can see.
Yesterday a 5 year old on a bicycle whizzed by on the pavement next to the dropped kerb as I was edging out. The only thing I could see was a flash of blonde hair and pink bicycle in front of my bumper. I moved my foot over the brake pedal, stopped the car and the crisis was avoided. The child's mum waved at me as a thank you for not running over her daughter... (phew!)
Is there a way around this? I might start using the horn as I emerge but I'm wondering if anything else is possible.
I don't own any of the land where the lane emerges so I can't alter buildings/fix mirrors/chop hedges etc.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
(edited for crap grammar)
I had a very close call yesterday, but I'm not sure what I could have done to prevent it.
My car is parked behind my house and I have to drive about 30 feet down a lane and out over a dropped kerb to reach the road. There's a big bush to my right and a tall garage building to my left as I emerge, so I just can't see the pavement.
Being very mindful of this, I try to edge forward very very slowly until I can see.
Yesterday a 5 year old on a bicycle whizzed by on the pavement next to the dropped kerb as I was edging out. The only thing I could see was a flash of blonde hair and pink bicycle in front of my bumper. I moved my foot over the brake pedal, stopped the car and the crisis was avoided. The child's mum waved at me as a thank you for not running over her daughter... (phew!)
Is there a way around this? I might start using the horn as I emerge but I'm wondering if anything else is possible.
I don't own any of the land where the lane emerges so I can't alter buildings/fix mirrors/chop hedges etc.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
(edited for crap grammar)
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Wednesday 27th July 10:05
A quick blast of the horn as you approach the pavement, as you say.
Short of installing a mirror opposite, or lobbying whoever's responsible for the road to do that for you, I don't see what else you could do.
I have a similar situation here in Frankfurt. I park off-road, in a private courtyard. I have to cross the pavement before the road completely blind, because I come out through a ground-level "tunnel" underneath and between the apartments.
By the time I can see anything at all on any part of the pavement, the full length of my car's nose is on the pavement. Being a tunnel, and having a moderately noisy car, most people hear me coming and wait anyway, but you don't have the tunnel advantage!
I've only had one fright so far, and that was identical to you - a kid on a pushbike crossing inches in front of me, followed by a very sheepish and grateful parent on foot.
Had I not been so cautious, he would certainly have hit me (or vice versa!!).
Short of installing a mirror opposite, or lobbying whoever's responsible for the road to do that for you, I don't see what else you could do.
I have a similar situation here in Frankfurt. I park off-road, in a private courtyard. I have to cross the pavement before the road completely blind, because I come out through a ground-level "tunnel" underneath and between the apartments.
By the time I can see anything at all on any part of the pavement, the full length of my car's nose is on the pavement. Being a tunnel, and having a moderately noisy car, most people hear me coming and wait anyway, but you don't have the tunnel advantage!
I've only had one fright so far, and that was identical to you - a kid on a pushbike crossing inches in front of me, followed by a very sheepish and grateful parent on foot.
Had I not been so cautious, he would certainly have hit me (or vice versa!!).
I have a very slight version of this problem with my driveway. I have to edge out very slowly and watch the gap between a high fence and our gatepost. It is only about a 3cm gap.
In your case can you get a sign to indicate it is an entrance?
Horn sounds a good idea, headlight flash at night.
Mirror opposite.
The situation you describe is an excellent example why bicycles/pavement are not a good combination.
In your case can you get a sign to indicate it is an entrance?
Horn sounds a good idea, headlight flash at night.
Mirror opposite.
The situation you describe is an excellent example why bicycles/pavement are not a good combination.
It could be worth speaking to whoever owns the bushes to see if you can trim back the foliage a bit .
Another option , since this is something you have to do daily , would be to get one of those aftermarket reversing camera kits ( two actually ) and mount side - facing cameras in your front bumper , with a small screen on your dash you can then see both ways as the front of your car starts to protrude .
Another option , since this is something you have to do daily , would be to get one of those aftermarket reversing camera kits ( two actually ) and mount side - facing cameras in your front bumper , with a small screen on your dash you can then see both ways as the front of your car starts to protrude .
Pontoneer said:
get one of those aftermarket reversing camera kits ( two actually ) and mount side - facing cameras in your front bumper , with a small screen on your dash you can then see both ways as the front of your car starts to protrude .
Can see your point, but I'm looking to change the car in a few months so I'll bear that in mind for the next one.I don't think beeping the horn would have helped against a child on a bike.
As for the problem, are you allowed to fit gates across the entrance? That way you could open the gates into the path to stop people walking across as you exit. Failing that two temporary roadwork fences to put out
As for the problem, are you allowed to fit gates across the entrance? That way you could open the gates into the path to stop people walking across as you exit. Failing that two temporary roadwork fences to put out
craig7584 said:
I don't think beeping the horn would have helped against a child on a bike.
As for the problem, are you allowed to fit gates across the entrance? That way you could open the gates into the path to stop people walking across as you exit. Failing that two temporary roadwork fences to put out
No. The lane serves about 20 houses. Mine is just one and gates would cheese everyone off, not least the two houseowners whose property would have something new bolted on to it.As for the problem, are you allowed to fit gates across the entrance? That way you could open the gates into the path to stop people walking across as you exit. Failing that two temporary roadwork fences to put out
An approach to the council for a couple of mirrors at the end of the lane , thus allowing visibility for all users of the lane , might be the most practical solution .
Otherwise , fitting cameras to your next vehicle would at least solve the problem for you .
As an example , a couple of these wouldn't break the bank , and could be transferred from one car to another as you change vehicles . ( still need to get a small LCD TV or similar to display on and some means of switching between cameras )
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Otherwise , fitting cameras to your next vehicle would at least solve the problem for you .
As an example , a couple of these wouldn't break the bank , and could be transferred from one car to another as you change vehicles . ( still need to get a small LCD TV or similar to display on and some means of switching between cameras )
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Edited by Pontoneer on Wednesday 27th July 19:48
It's all in the name of safety! 
Gull Slayer said:
How about a warning that sticks out the front of the vehicle temporarily? (one of those orange reflective spoon shaped things with reflector they fit to cycles maybe)
Yeah, dat'd look sick, bro. - cough to get over the chav out of my throat*
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