Blind Spots Seminar

1. GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division Blind Spots Seminar LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

2. The purpose of this seminar is to highlight the various types of Blind Spots encountered on the road in everyday driving. This presentation is developed with motorcycles in mind, and will emphasize the risks Blind Spots pose to motorcyclists. We will discuss: Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) Motorcycles and their characteristics The importance of recognizing Blind Spots How to deal with Blind Spots Overview LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

3. What is GWRRA? Established in 1977, GWRRA is the largest single marque motorcycle organization in the world. Based on the Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycle. Over 80,000 members Chapters in all 50 states – over 800 chapters International - Chapters in at least 52 countries, including USA & Canada Organized with local Chapters, in-state Districts, multi-state Regions, under a National/International umbrella. Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

4. What Are We About? Motto: Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge Emphasis on educating our members Rider Education Program training includes: Both Riders and Co-Riders (passengers) Seminars, videos, newsletters, magazine Rider Courses to improve motorcycle riding skills CPR, First Aid, AED training Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 4

5. “Share the Road!" is GWRRA’s proactive campaign to “reduce the amount of conflict between automobiles & motorcycles” on our roads. This program is geared to help motorists increase their awareness of motorcycles, recognize problems before they develop, and identify ways to avoid crashes. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

6. Motorcycles differ from cars in significant ways: Motorcycles are narrow 2-wheeled vehicles. Motorcycles may be hard to notice or identify in traffic. Motorcycles can accelerate faster & stop quicker than cars & trucks. Smaller size and single headlight on many motorcycles makes it difficult to judge their speed and distance. Motorcycles are easily hidden from view by other vehicles, by fixed objects, and in your car’s blind spots. Motorcycle Characteristics LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

7. Areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors of a vehicle. We will extend that definition to include the space behind any fixed or moving object that might conceal vital information needed in order to make a safe driving decision. The risk is that another vehicle can be hidden from a driver in one of these Blind Spots. What Keeps Us Up at Night? Blind Spots LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

8. We will discuss 4 types of Blind Spots: Areas around your car that you cannot see in your mirrors are commonly called Blind Spots. Stationary objects that hide things from your view produce a second kind of Blind Spot. Moving vehicles also block your view of the driving environment creating a third type of Blind Spot. Finally, things inside your car can also obstruct your view and create Blind Spots. What Types of Blind Spots Are There? LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

9. The Blind Spots we think of most often are ‘fixed’ to the car: Located outside your car behind the driver to the left and right of the vehicle and behind it. Areas that are not visible while looking in your mirrors. Size of the vehicle affects the size of the Blind Spots. Size of the Blind Spots can be reduced by proper adjustment of the mirrors and by using convex (blind spot) mirrors. Objects in Blind Spots may become visible with the aid of headchecks (turning or moving your head to look for hidden objects). Turn your head to know what is lurking in your Blind Spots! Fixed Blind Spots LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

10. Fixed Blind Spots They must be checked constantly for hazards before you take action! They exist around you and can be reduced, but are seldom eliminated. Hidden Hidden Hidden Seen Seen Seen LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

11. In some vehicles even a head check won’t allow you to see what is in the Blind Spots Panel vans Stake trucks Semi’s with trailers Pick-up trucks pulling fifth wheel trailers What others can you come up with? How can we improve the safe operation of these types of vehicles? Fixed Blind Spots LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

12. Fixed Blind Spots stay in place around you as your car moves thru traffic. They travel with you from lane to lane. Blind Spots are always there, and must be checked before taking action! Remember that a motorcycle is more easily hidden in your car’s Blind Spot than a large vehicle. They remain in the same position around your car as you drive. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

13. Any object that blocks your view of potential hazards can affect your decision making ability. If the object is stationary, the Blind Spot ‘shifts’ around the object as you drive past it. Examples: Bus stop shelter, phone booth, or light pole on a corner as you approach an intersection. Others? The bigger the object, the more it can hide. Do you think a light pole can hide a motorcycle from a driver when approaching an intersection? Shifting Blind Spots LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

14. Shifting Blind Spots As you approach a fixed object, you can imagine a shadow cast behind it from your point of view. The space behind an object can hide a pedestrian, motorcycle, car, or other hazard! LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

15. Shifting Blind Spots Until you pass the object, you must be careful to double check both sides of the shaded space. As you get closer to the object, its shadow rotates around the object, and blocks out a growing space. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

16. Shifting Blind Spots The closer a fixed object is to the corner, the more caution you must use. Proceed carefully! By constantly scanning ahead as you approach, you may see objects before they enter the Blind Spot. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

17. Other traffic creates ‘rolling’ Blind Spots whether your vehicle is stopped or moving. From your position behind the wheel, the rolling Blind Spot moves through your field of view. A truck can block your view of traffic both behind it and on the other side of the truck. An approaching SUV can easily hide a motorcycle traveling behind it. A smart motorcyclist or driver won’t tailgate, and will position his/her vehicle to be seen by other traffic. Rolling Blind Spots LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

18. Rolling Blind Spots Any object blocking your view of vital information creates a Blind Spot! LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

19. Rolling Blind Spots As the object moves, the Blind Spot moves with it, changing in size but continuing to hide Information. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

20. Rolling Blind Spots How do we reduce the possibility of an incident when the information is not available? Be patient. Make sure there are no hazards hidden in the Blind Spot. Look Twice! LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

21. Think ahead!Realize that objects may be following oncoming traffic too closely to be seen until the last minute Never enter a space in traffic until you are sure that it is clear. Wait for the blind spot to clear before making your move. Know and understand the habits of motorcycle riders and the abilities of their machines. Follow all traffic laws - they will protect you and others. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

22. Interior Obstructions Things inside your car can block our view of the driving environment and cause even more Blind Spots. It can be something you decorate your car with, your children or pets, or even structural components of the car. They may seem harmless enough but can cause big problems while driving in traffic. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

23. Trinkets, Baubles & Paraphernalia • Rear view mirrors attract lots of vision blocking objects: • Necklaces, fuzzy dice, air fresheners, handicap cards, and more. What’s in your car? • Suction cups stuck to the windshield hold GPS units, notepads, compasses. • Passengers, pets & luggage – anything that affects your view of the roadway environment. • Structural elements of the car can block your view - door posts and pillars. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

24. Some are going to be there no matter what. Be prepared to deal with each type. How can you reduce the risk? Adjust your mirrors to minimize fixedBlind Spots. Use your mirrors frequently and use head checks often to know what is in your fixedBlind Spots. Always know what is around you in case of an emergency. Scan the road ahead continuously for potential hazards, moving objects, things that will create Blind Spots. Take extra time to find out what is hidden from your view by shifting and rollingBlind Spots. Don’t proceed until you know the space you are about to enter is clear. No guessing!! How Do We Eliminate Blind Spots? LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

25. Keep your car windows clear of objects. Remove things inside your car that block your view. Only hang a Handicap card when your vehicle is parked; take it down before driving. Tell passengers if they are blocking your view – they may not know it. Keep pets on the seat, floor, or in a carrier. Manage or EliminateInterior Obstructions March 2009 LOOK TWICE– Save a Life! 25

26. Reality of Blind Spots The truth is there are many things that obstruct our view and create Blind Spots. We need to be aware of them to be safe drivers. Recognize and be prepared to cope with each type of Blind Spot. We need to take more time to look for them and think about how we can minimize the risk involved – Don’t be in a hurry, Arrive alive! LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

27. Today we have discussed: The Gold Wing Road Riders Association and our “Share the Road!” Program. Motorcycle characteristics Four types of Blind Spots Fixed around your vehicle – remember head checks! ShiftingBlind Spots that rotate around stationary objects as you approach. RollingBlind Spots created by moving traffic. Interior obstructions blocking your view. How to reduce the risks associated with Blind Spots. Summary LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

28. LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!

29. GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division THANK YOU! And Please - LOOK TWICE! LOOK TWICE– Save a Life!