1. GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division
Blind Spots Seminar
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

2. Overview
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
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

3. Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA)
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

4. Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA)
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
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

6. Motorcycle Characteristics
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

7. What Keeps Us Up at Night?
Blind Spots
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

8. What Types of Blind Spots Are There?
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

9. Fixed Blind Spots
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 head checks (turning or moving your head to look for hidden objects).
Turn your head to know what is lurking in your Blind Spots!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

10. Fixed Blind Spots Hidden Hidden Seen Seen Seen
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
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

11. Fixed Blind Spots
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?
March 2009
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

13. Shifting Blind Spots
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?
March 2009
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!
March 2009
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.
March 2009
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

17. Rolling Blind Spots
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

18. Any object blocking your view of vital information
Rolling Blind Spots
Any object blocking your view of vital information
creates a Blind Spot!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

19. Blind Spot moves with it,
Rolling Blind Spots
As the object moves, the
Blind Spot moves with it,
changing in size but
continuing to hide
Information.
March 2009
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!
March 2009
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.
March 2009
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.
March 2009
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.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

24. How Do We Eliminate Blind Spots?
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 fixed Blind Spots.
Use your mirrors frequently and use head checks often to know what is in your fixed Blind 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 rolling Blind Spots.
Don’t proceed until you know the space you are about to enter is clear. No guessing!!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

25. Manage or Eliminate Interior Obstructions
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.
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!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

27. Summary 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!
Shifting Blind Spots that rotate around stationary objects as you approach.
Rolling Blind Spots created by moving traffic.
Interior obstructions blocking your view.
How to reduce the risks associated with Blind Spots.
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

28. March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life!

29. GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION Motorist Awareness Division
THANK YOU!
And Please - LOOK TWICE!
March 2009
LOOK TWICE – Save a Life! 29