For some time I have been concered about the vision or the lack of it around the front pillars on my Caprice I had thought it was just me being pedantic, but to day I almost came to grief as a result of this major design error. I live in a semi rural area one of the roads I traverse has an intersection at 45 degrees I am generally quite cautious and not had an accident in 40 years of driving, pulled up at the intersection and looked left and right, and came almost to a halt to ensure no traffic, which there was none and proceeded, to my utter surprise my wife sitting next to me screamed. I stopped instantly fortunately, to my horror to have a 4x4 speed across my bow. I reasoned the car was at the same angle as the pillar and had been hidden completly as it approaced. Love the car but this problem is a worry regarding future ownership.
You'd think such passive safety like good vision of the roads ahead and to the side would be a high priority and addressed by some ADR but it seems not. Such "minor" concerns are trumped by prioritising the passenger compartment streangth over trivial things like being able to see well...
Even things like glare from internal and external componentry used to be covered by an ADR but those rules were dropped when that specific ADR was junked... Now, in sunny Aus, i'm often annoyed by excessive glare from the chrome gear knob and other cabin "bling"...
Sadly all cars suffer such A-pillar vision and other issues to a various degreed. Some cars like the commodore are worse than others. It's a skewed prioritisation of active safety over passive safety design and rewarded by ANCAP test methods and point scoring...
If your interested in forum members views on this vision issue, see these threads
Nearly had a car accident early this morning. Didn't see another at the roundabout, missed it by a hair. The "A" pillar was blocking my view, the dark tinted window and weather shield didn't help. Talked to 2 of my sub contractors, they also drive a Holden ute and they all have similar...
forums.justcommodores.com.au
I'm new to my VE . Blindspot on left windscreen pillar nearly caused 2 prangs........ Lucky I drive like an old lady.............. cheers Bundyjack
forums.justcommodores.com.au
I don't think it would cut out when I took a vfii for a test drive the girl at the dealership had the key in her picked back at the dealers while I took it for a drive. I got back and she said lucky you didn't turn it off because I had the key.
forums.justcommodores.com.au
I've never been one to ascribe the problem to the driver, because he's not behaving like a bobbing head doll while behind the wheel, so if it bothers you and you think its a safety issue then lodge a complaint through DOTARS and/or ACCC.
