Blind Spots at Intersections and Crosswalks

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Blind Spots at Intersections and
Crosswalks
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Mirror Adjustments

• Mirrors correctly adjusted allow line of sight to
  avoid collisions .
• Mirrors not properly adjusted will not allow
  maximum visibility.
• Washington State drivers are trained in reference
  point driving.
• Reference points apply to the proper mirror
  adjustments

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• Individuals sitting in the drivers seat should be
  able to quickly evaluate the proper mirror
  adjustments needed

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200 feet
At Wheel Well
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200 Feet Back
12 Feet Out
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The Intersection Approach

• Animals have eyesight suited for their needs
• Flying at 60-100 M.P.H. an eagle can see a mouse
  and catch it
• Turtles have limited eyesight because they travel
  so slow
• Human eyesight is 6-10 feet per second at walking
  speed

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• While traveling in a vehicle, it is faster than
  our brains can assimilate all the information
• It is importation to look ahead to assess any
  potential hazards

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What should you be looking for as you approach an
intersection?

• Pedestrians
• Parked Cars
• Passing Vehicles
• Turning Vehicles
• Stale Traffic Lights
• Blocking obstacles
• Animals
• Poor Set up
• Inattention

• Weather
• Construction
• Buildings
• School Zones
• Yield Signs
• Tail Swing Hazard
• Four Way Stops
• Time of Day
• Distraction

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15 Seconds
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Straight Travel Through Intersections

• Traveling straight through intersections with
  controlled side streets can present potential
  hazards for collisions with pedestrians
• RCW. 46.61 .235 has language that says traffic
  must yield to pedestrians at any intersection
• Pedestrians often walk out without warning

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• Speeds below 25 M.P.H. pedestrians have an 85-90
  survival chance
• Speeds above 25 M.P.H. kill pedestrians 85-90 of
  the time
• Scan intersections left, right, left, right and
  Rock-N-Roll around your vision blockers
• Cover brakes and slow for potential hazards
• Never change lanes

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Controlled Side Streets
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Controlled Side Streets
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PEDESTRIAN BEHIND VEHICLE
PEDESTRIAN AT LIGHT POLE
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PEDESTRIANS APPROACHING INTERSECTION
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PEDESTRIAN IN CROSSWALK
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A BUS IS STOPPED TO LOAD STUDENTS AT THE CURB
A CAR PULLS INTO INTERSECTION TO SEE AROUND BUS
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Right Turn at Intersection

• To avoid collisions, proper set up for a right
  turn needs to be implemented
• Activate signals 100 feet before intersection
• At controlled intersections, stop before the
  crosswalk -- this will enable you to observe with
  direct vision
• Check for pedestrians
• ROCK ROLL

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Check traffic around you for

• Tail swing
• Vehicles coming on your right
• Turning traffic
• And check the crosswalk once more for pedestrians

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• WAC 392-145-025(7) states All buses shall slow
  down to ten miles per hour or less and give the
  proper signal before making a ninety degree right
  or left hand turn
• This allows time to adjust for any hazard that
  presents itself
• Free right hand turns Yield right of way to
  pedestrians and traffic

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Right Hand Turn Pedestrian Behind Mirror
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Pedestrian
Right Hand Turn
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Left Turn at Intersection

• Left hand turn has the greatest potential for
  pedestrian collisions
• Check the crosswalk you are entering
• Pedestrians cross from both sides and can stay in
  our blind spot for the entire turn
• Remember to ROCK ROLL your body
• Check tail swing on the right
• Check tire tracking on the left

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Left hand Turn Pedestrian Exposed
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Left Hand Turn Pedestrian behind the Mirror
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Summary

• Blind Spots on the bus at intersections and
  crosswalks
• Proper mirror adjustment
• The importance of ROCK ROLL
• How to overcome the blind spots
• Stay alert and aware at all intersections

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Evaluation

• Describe why mirror adjustments are important?
• to maximize vision and minimize
  hazards

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2. List 5 (five) hazards at an intersections

• Pedestrians
• Parked Cars
• Passing Vehicles
• Turning Vehicles
• Stale Traffic Lights
• Blocking Obstacles
• School Zones
• Four Way Stops
• Time of Day

• Animals
• Poor Set Up
• Inattention
• Weather
• Construction
• Buildings
• Yield Signs
• Tail Swing Hazards
• Distraction

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3. Demonstrate the activity used to reduce blind
spots at an intersection

• ROCK ROLL

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