The 'other' Ashley, Ashley Coghill has sent Biglorryblog this little story concerning foreign truck 'blind spots'... but I'll let Ash tell it in his inimitable fashion!
"I was standing around the other day (like you do) when this bright and clean Polish Renault appeared. It trundled into our works car park to turn round. It wasn't the highly-polished (no pun intended) red paint twinkling in the sunlight that caught my eye. Or the fact that the trailer had NO spray suppression and NO wheel arches or side safety rails. What caught my eagle-eye was the complete array of "clutter" in the windscreen!
Now click through here to see what transpired when Ashley got up close and personal with the driver....
Ashley continues his tale thus: "After a good 7-8 shunts, old Andrzej managed to get the rig back out onto the road. Well, I was intrigued. How could he possibly see out? So knowing how you like the subject of 'blind' spots, I thought I'd investigate. Andrzej was very obliging. He smiled as I took a couple of full on shots. He wound the window down to pose and he tried (bless him) to talk to me....alas I don't do Polish.......yet!"
"Now I had him eating out the palm of my hand, I went for the kill! 'Hang on a minute mate' I shouted. 'I just want to get me tape measure'. To which he just sat there grinning. By now a small crowd had gathered (well two actually) and they watched intrigued, as I climbed up the front of the truck and held the tape up so it was level with the gold tassels. The gap which Andrzej was able to see through was a "massive" 10 inches!!!!!"
"Now, we all know the amount of accidents caused by (sorry, I mean 'involving') foreign trucks not being able to see our cars, so why oh why isn't much more being done to reduce these 'prangs' especially when such a prime example as this 'blind spot' is blatantly on show! There is an accident waiting to happen here because there is no way on the planet that old Andrzei could possibly have good, clear vision across the front of his truck! Why is there never a policeman around when you need one eh? Ironically, if you closely in the corner of the windscreen, you'll see a cute cuddly teddy wearing a policeman uniform! I rest my case 'm lud...."
Great story Ash. Never mind the Police what about VOSA? They're certainly hot off the mark when it comes to checking out dashboard clutter of UK trucks during annual tests. Perhaps your man's centre, downward-facing miror is actually to see that his pennants are all in a nice straight line!
You Have a point here with the visibility of our foreign trucking PROFESSIONALS! But you probably missed the laptop that was not on his dashboard at the time of your photograph that would have filled the remaining 10inches of view, pretending that he was using as satnav but really watching a knock off DVD!! As for what are VOSA doing about these culprits? thats easy, NOTHING, they cant get a conviction from foreign drivers as there is no power to convict or fine on the spot, unlike across the water, where you will get fined for just about anything. Soft touch Britain, where laws can be ignored, that goes for driving hours and speeding, unless you live and work here!!
When we see them we do something about it. Wait for 28/05/09 fixed penaltys and graduated deposits!!!!
VOSA HRTI
Yeah, i like to have that sort of stuff insie a lorry, like A table on the dash and some vimpels and a name plate but that up there in the picture is way over the top!