General panda - blind spot

[bobian81]

I've discovered that our panda has a blind spot between the drivers door mirror and the windscreen pillar, this afternoon I entered a mini roundabout, and nearly hit a cyclist emerging from the right, he was hidden for a second, thankfully due to the super abs brakes I was able to pull up sharp, no harm done, has anyone else had a simalar expereince in a new panda ?

 

[hpScot]

hmmm - can't say I've noticed this but thanks for the warning.

Isn't this area fairly low to be a blind spot? - was it a midget trick cyclist being that low - ie. just above the bottom of the side window opening? Mind you it was a 'mini' roundabout.

Don't mind me - couldn't resist.

Sounds like you had a lucky miss.

 

[kipster]

I don't think the Panda is too bad compared to other new cars. Modern cars now have to meet high standards for crash and impact damage, the result is that the pillars have bebome thicker and thicker, the result is that more motorcyclist's than ever are being innocently knocked from their machines (fact).

 

[bobian81]

Well, it certainly shook me up, it sounds like a typical cause and effect mode, make cars safer for the occupants, BUT make more danger to bikes.
I shall certainly be a bit more alert on roundabouts from now on.

 

[ultrageek]

hmmmm... am trying to imagine this near possible accident. Considering that the Panda's window is sooooo huge...

 

[ninehours]

Your right bobian81 i had a 4x4 and there is a blind spot when entering roundabouts the A pilar is quite thick and if the timing is right with the vehical coming around the roundabout it is obscured for a second. I had a close call myself.

 

[b1g1an]

Try driving any other newer car and you'll realise visibility in that area is actually really good in the Panda.

Worst offenders are anything with that stupid little window the size of a postage stamp at the front of the door like the Grande Punto.

 

[Ulpian]

I think the thick pillars are not anything to do with strength; more fashion.

I am certain the manufacturers could make very srong, thin, pillars, if they wanted, but the public would perceive this as weakness - and avoid.

My Doblo has a massive blind spot, as do most cars these days. Try an old Citroen DS, or anything from the 50s with wrap-around windscreens, to see how great front and side visibility was once.

It'll take a prestigious manufacturer to slim the pillars down and get the visibility plaudits; then they'll all be doing it. And the sooner the better.

Pillars are mostly box sections anyway. Solid, high strength steel, might be the way to go?

 

[bobian81]

I wonder, is there any accident statistics out there that show a link between injuries and car blind spots, if so people ought to use this info to lobby car manufacturers to make corner visibility better, thereby reducing accidents

 

[little-blue-chichi]

I haven't noticed a blind spot at the front - but will be careful to check, however the Panda redeems itself with the extra little window at the back which is wonderful in preventing one there. Every day I have to turn right at a junction at an angle where visibility to the left is poor, I get lots of extra vision through the little back windowand those of my colleagues who drive VW Golfs with huge rear pillars just get stiff necks and the odd horrible fright.
One more good things about Pandas.

 

[Jai]

like this?:

there has been some research into this:

http://www.roadsafe.com/magazine/winter2006/page_40.html

 

[b1g1an]

I wonder, is there any accident statistics out there that show a link between injuries and car blind spots, if so people ought to use this info to lobby car manufacturers to make corner visibility better, thereby reducing accidents

What, like the motorcycle press have been for the last few years, do you mean?

 

[bobian81]

jai, you've hit the nail on the head, thats exactly what I mean, and if you think about a cyclist, who is going slower than a motorcycle, hes in the spot for longer (double edged sword as you have less time to react to motorcycle) if you look at this interior shot of a panda you can see the combination of a pillar and door mirror make it quite a wide blind spot
http://www.autoonline24.com/images/fiat/panda/6.jpg

 

[hpScot]

Good find with the shows your point perfectly. I'll watch out for this one - cheers.

 

[100hpJames]

Ive noticed it too and nearly done the same!