darrenstewart Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 I was reading topics about how often lorries/cars don't see westfields, especially on motorways and i was wondering if anyone has made any efforts to increase their visibility to others. Perhaps fitting extra brake lights? Different headlights etc? I'm not sure if this is a stupid topic or not, but i'm going to post it anyway! Quote
Blatman Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 Differenrt brake lights will only help when braking, surely? For this particular subject, think motorbike not car, and assume that you're invisible. And remember, the throttle pedal is often a better device to avoid trouble than the brake pedal... Quote
craig-c Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 always drive with my light's on day time or not, there is nothing you can do, if the driver doesn't see you, then whatever modifications you have done he is not going to see them, but put your foot down and he will ear you Quote
Blatman Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 I feel stupid... Don't worry. You're among friends... Quote
cidersurfer Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 A bit O/T but I fitted a high level brake light when I lived in a city centre, got fed up with the Chelsea tractors giving me a heart attack! It must be really difficult to see a Westie's brake lights from a high seated vehicle in traffic! Quote
brianm Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 Not stupid at all, very valid infact. All good advice given too. Do your best to keep out of heavy traffic blind spots and use the acceleration available to minimise time spent in this position. The most disconcerting thing is sitting in traffic with an artic next to you with it's wheels towering about a foot over the car. You just know they wont be expecting anything like a Westy to be there. Give 'em plenty of space and drive defensively. Stay alive Quote
Norman Verona Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 I heard a talk by a phyciatrist who claimed to cure people with tinitus. It was quite interesting but I really paid attention when he started to explain why some car drivers don't see bikes. Apparently it's because the eye can see objects, colours, shapes etc but it's the brain that interpret these objects into things we can recognise. So, when we look for a car, the brain is looking for what it thinks the shape of a car should be. As the bike does not comply to this shape we do not see it as a car. It's there, the eye sees it but the brain doesn't interpret it. At this point I stuck my hand up, showed him a picture of a 7 and asked if the same applied. He thought, that in some cases, it would. I thought about this and remembered that I'd read about natures warning colours being black and yellow. (black and yellow creatures are telling the world "don't eat me I'm dangerous"). So I painted the car black and the roll over bar dayglo yellow. Can't really tell if people see me better now but it certainly frightens the horses. Quote
Sir Greg Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 You've also got the advantage of the big orange helmet Norm..... As long as Lynne is in the car with you of course.. Quote
Crazy Eddie Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 Being aware and Driving as if you are not seen (like blatters says) is more benefitial than anything you can do to make the car more visible. I'm torn between the lights on / off argument because on the one hand in theory you may be seen easier but on the other it is harder to judge the speed of a car with lights on than off (acording to some article a while ago about constant lights on motorbikes) Also don't forget the horn is there to warn drivers of you. Unfortunately because it is used incorrectly by everyone it is no looked on as being aggressive but isn't Quote
zoso Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 Yeah, drive as if invisble is good advice, I try and do this all the time including in the tin top... For instance on my trip back down to uni some half wit changed lanes as I was overtaking on the motorway and caused me to brake, beep and exclamate a bit! Though I think because I had half an eye on him as I was passing him I managed to avoid actual contact... Tractors are my worse adversary on the road in the westy, it's not that they don't look, they just look over the top of you. Had 2 close calls with tractors, both below the designated speed limit, throttle and brake applied as required... Quote
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted January 9, 2008 Posted January 9, 2008 I heard a talk by a phyciatrist who claimed to cure people with tinitus. Almost as important, how did he cure the tinnitus?* [bells, the Bells, those b****y BELLS!] * Serious question, BTW. I've got it slightly and it's irritating! Quote
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