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Visibilty of Westy's on the Road


Yanto

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After seeing PeP's photo's of his incident, it linked together with my experiences of Westy ownership over the past 8 weeks.

 

I've noticed that many people have pulled out on me from side roads, and also more disconcerting overtaken coming towards me, much more so than when in my other car.

 

The on road differences are colour; Westy is black other  car is white, and also size (height).

 

I wonder if it is that my low black car is actually more difficult to see?

 

I'm thinking of getting some Venom headlights with DRL's, so that i'm more visible, i don't think the normal "yellow candle headlights" are actually any use in daylight.  The Venoms I understand also operate legally i.e. when indicators come on DRL's are switched off/dim.

 

A cheaper and lets face it less aesthetic way is to fit some small Cycle front lights to the top of the windscreen in carbon pods, this will raise their height as high as possible, but then again, maybe not!

 

Ian 

 

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I experienced the same issues when first out with my Westfield even though it's orange. Fitted the venoms principally for the DRLs but removing the standard indicators gave me a location for carbon fibre whiskers supplied by Aerodynamix.

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One of the risks for sure, no matter the body colour, people just don't see you sometimes.  You learn to assume that you're invisible and are constantly looking for danger and escape paths.  Be careful out there.

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Mine has a yellow rim around the radiator opening and BR green

In 2 years now I can't say my experiences have been any worse than on a motor bike or any other small car I have driven

Defensive driving is the key for self preservation I'm afraid

I think so many drivers are programed to look for cars coming, anything small or unusual in shape and size doesn't registrar as a threat

When I'm in my 4x4 and and drivers pull out I make sure they know!!!!!

This is not road rage, as I'm not wound up about a mistake, but a wake up call to them before they carrying in the same day dream and kill someone I or you might know, then get put in jail them selfs

After every weekend I see the news about I bike crash in Wales and wonder if it's someone I know

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Defensive driving is a must, I have my side lights on all the time ( LED and quite bright) but they still manage to "not see" you. You have to assume that everyone will pull out into your path so be prepared for evasive action. May sound dramatic but works. Treat every else as a numpty goes well also.

 

Bob :(

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As per Andy's post, it's very much defensive driving just as you would if you were riding a motorbike. Road position, don't presume anything and always expect the worst so you can prepare/plan your escape route so to minimise the damage.

Mine is also black, I have the dominator headlights fitted and always have them on dipped beam when out on the road.

But this is what I love about driving the Westy, just when I used to ride, it's so much more evolving than driving a tin top & 100% concentration gives you 100% rewards.

Enjoy and stay safe.

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There is a reason. I've posted this before. The eye sees an object but the eye is just a lens. The brain interprets what the object is. The brain has to learn to recognise objects. Some peoples brains have learned a very narrow definition of what a car is. A 7 type car doesn't fit that definition so they don't "see" your car as a car and it becomes invisible.

 

The same applies to motor bikes hence the "Think Bike" campaign.

 

I've found that all animals, human animals included, have a recognition of natures warning colours which are black and yellow, usually in stripes. I painted my car black with a yellow roll bar and I don't have the problem as much.

 

When the car was BRG with a black roll bar I could drive (quietly) past the horses being ridden on the roads where we lived. Then, when it was black and yellow, the horses would shy away, even if I stopped and switched off for them to pass. One reared up and nearly threw it's rider.

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That's interesting Norm

Gets you thinking

Maybe a blue light on top that flashes might help visibility too ;)

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They still wouldn't see that, we have a fire engine driver on here, who's name escapes me and his comments have not been complimentary of the usual drivers.. Treat them all like numpties.

 

 

Bob :( :(

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Peet is the chap I think. Friend of mine was a nurse in the ED of a busy hospital. She had to do regular ride alongside in the ambulances, she used to say exactly the same sort of thing, "I'm in a big white van with flashing lights and fluorescent stripes, we've got a 100 + db horn and a siren! Yet people still "don't see us"

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My Westy is black and yellow (see <<<).  I fitted a pair of Halfords DRLs between the headlamps and the Caterham indicators.  All my lights are as bright as possible (LEDs and Xenon Hids)

 

Still have the occasional problems.  Being so low makes overtaking more difficult and equally makes you more difficult to see from the opposite direction.  My aunt used to say "Just imagine if you were coming in the opposite direction!".  Works well for me.

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I drive mine just like I do when out on my motorbike or push bike, treat everyone as a blind idiot and don't presume anything. Loud exhausts also save life's as if they can hear you they may just take a second glance to actually see you.

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As above - assume everyone hasn't seen you then you won't go far wrong

Good call on the contrast thing - if I had a black car I would consider putting white or reflective silver stripes through the centre line of the car and also down the sides

Or simply buy a yellow one like I did :-)

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That's interesting Norm

Gets you thinking

Maybe a blue light on top that flashes might help visibility too ;)

It might help, but it is no guarantee that someone will actually see it.

 

Back in the day I rode this:

moi-1.jpg

 

Now, with high-presence livery on both the bike and the rider, twin headlights pulsating, blue lights flashing, two-tone siren wailing and a rider trained to position themselves for maximum visibility it is a real eye-opener to discover how ‘invisible’ you still are to some other road-users.

 

A comment from the head of the Traffic Police who tested me is always in my mind when I’m out on the road:  "It’s not paranoia, it’s just good sense: assume everyone else is out to get you”. To which I’d add ‘... or hasn’t seen you.

 

;-)

 

R

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I drive an 18.5 tonne fire engine. Even with 8 flashing blue lights, independant flashing headlights and hi viz colours people STILL don't see you!!

I was taught to drive like people don't see you - if they do treat it as a bonus!

Drive safe...

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