The document discusses factors that influence visibility from a vehicle, including blind spots, forward visibility, and other design criteria like pillar placement, windshield angle, and driver height. It provides tips for better visibility such as keeping windows clean, adjusting mirrors properly, and ensuring glasses prescriptions are up to date. Visibility is important for safety and the document outlines both vehicle design considerations and driver practices to maximize a driver's field of view.

1. Car Safety: Design & technology
Unit-2
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2. • Visibility - Maximum distance at which the driver can see and
identify prominent objects around the vehicle
• Blind spot - An area around the vehicle that cannot be
directly observed by the driver while at the controls, under
existing circumstances
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3. Forward visibility
• Front-end blind spots are influenced by the following
design criteria
• Distance between the driver and the pillar
• Thickness of the pillar
• The angle of the pillar in a vertical plane side view
• The angle of the pillar in a vertical plane front view
• the form of the pillar straight or arc-form
• Angle of the windshield
• Height of the driver in relation to the dashboard
• Speed of the opposite car
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4. Other Factors
• Height of driver
• Dashboard reflection
• A- pillar
• Light through roof reflection
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5. Blind spot
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6. Entrance door visibility
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7. Headlights
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8. The Vision Test
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• The eye test evaluates:
a. Acuity (how clearly you see).
b. Peripheral vision (how far you can see to either side while
looking straight ahead).
c. Depth and color perception

9. Tips for better visibility
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• Check your windshield washer fluid frequently to insure
adequate supply
• Periodically check your wipers and replace the blades if they
are split, leave streaks or skip
• Keep your headlamps clean and in good repair – road grime
can reduce visibility
• Wash your mirrors, windshield and windows regularly, both
outside and inside
• Adjust side mirrors out to reflect more of the road and as little
of the vehicle as possible
• Reduce the brightness of the instrument panel – many people
set this overly bright, which forces their eyes to overcome the
glare

10. Cont.
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• Adjust your seat so that you can see comfortably over the
wheel
• Glance frequently from the road ahead to your rear view
mirror, side mirror, and instrument panel when driving
• Avoid driving at night or in bad weather if you have difficulty
seeing in low-light situations

11. If you wear eyeglasses or sunglasses
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• Make sure they are clean
• Be sure to keep your prescription up to date
• Wear the proper glasses for day and night driving
• Be mindful when using tinted lenses – especially if your
windshield is tinted
• Tinted lenses of any kind can reduce visibility at night – never
wear them for night driving
• Choose eyeglass or sunglass frames with narrow side (temple)
pieces. Wide temple pieces may block or distract your
peripheral vision