Study on new regulation concerning Driver’s field of vision Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport 81th GRSG, October 9-12, 2001, Geneva

Contents 1. Background 2. Accident data 3. Blind spot on car 4. Existent national regulations concerning “Driver’s field of vision” 5. New regulation concerning field of vision 6. Estimation on the Accident decrease effected by improvement of visibility

Background Accidents that seem to be caused by the blind spot of driver’s field of vision have increased in number. Example; 1. Accidents that young children are sacrificed when the vehicle is started 2. Accidents caused by remodeled MPV which remodeled to raise height “New regulation concerning driver’s field of vision” is expected.

Accident data *Death in ‘96 – ’98 by traffic accidents occurred in immediate forward and left of vehicles when the vehicle is started

Blind spot makes young children to go out of driver’s field of vision Blind Spot on MPV (1)

The Influence of raising heights of vehicles on driver’s field of vision ２．４ｍ ４．８ｍ Blind spot is enlarged when vehicle height is raised. ５０ cm Ｕｐ Blind Spot on MPV (2)

Existent regulation concerning driver’s field of vision (1) The rear view mirror shall enable the driver in seating position to recognize at least part of a 30 cm diameter round column having a height of 1 meter which is placed in the area shown in the figure. 3) For “cab over” type Truck (GVW is more than 8t) etc. 1) For passenger car 2) For Bus and Truck( other than 3)) 0.3m Bus 0.3m 2m 3m truck Eye point Column

Existent regulation concerning driver’s field of vision(2) The issue of the existent regulation is; The existence of Blind spot near the vehicle caused by higher eye point of MPV Field of vision (Passenger car) 0.3m Eye point Column

New draft regulation concerning driver’s field of vision Vehicle structure shall enable the driver in seating position to recognize at least part of a 30 cm diameter round column having a height of 1 meter which is placed in the area shown in the figure. This requirement may be complied by driver’s direct vision, or indirect vision made by rear view mirror or other devices. New draft field of vision (Passenger car) 0.3m Eye point Column

Specification of the size of object Figure of Five-years old children Column of 1m in height and 30cm in diameter １００．８ｃｍ ２７．９ｃｍ ３０ｃｍ １ｍ The object of driver’s recognition is specified here on the assumption that five-years old would be the lowest age with possibility to go out on road alone, based on sociologic analysis.

Calculated effect on preventing accidents occurred in the immediately near front or near left-side of MPV *The figure is on the assumption that, 1) After the application of the new regulation, the MPV accident would occur in the same ratio as the other passenger car accident. 2) Even after the application of the new regulation, the accident involving persons elder than 13 years old would occur in the same ratio as the present accident, because they could be recognized by direct vision. 60 accidents be avoidable per 3 years

Before 9 fatal accidents be avoidable per 3 years - The reduction of fatal accidents - Calculated effect on preventing accidents occurred in the immediately near front or near left-side of MPV After *The figure is on the assumption that after the application of the new regulation, the MPV accident would occur in the same ratio as the other passenger car accident.