12/2018: Fixed traffic mirrors

In 12/2018, following extensive research and discussions with other municipalities, the city of Aachen installed 50 fixed traffic mirrors with a diameter of 0.50 m to prevent accidents when drivers turn right due to blind spots. This measure to prevent stereotypically repetitive accidents in the blind spot area is a possible building block for increasing road safety for all road users.

As fixed traffic mirrors can only achieve the desired effect under certain conditions, a list of criteria was initially developed to test and identify suitable locations. It was based on studies, experience and information, always in close cooperation with ASEAG.

The catalog of criteria included

• Overlay of accident figures for the city of Aachen with participation
  a) Large vehicles turning right and cyclists/pedelec riders,
  b) ASEAG route network plan (right-turning vehicles),
  c) Existing cycle lanes and hard shoulders,
• internal discussions with the municipal departments,
• technical recommendations from published reports.

In addition, opinions were obtained from

• of an exemplary driving school in Aachen, where professional drivers are trained, among other things,
• of ASEAG and
• the Düren-Aachen motorists' group/ Aachen, Düren branch of ACE (Auto Club Europa).

Based on the information obtained, a register was drawn up for the installation and subsequent care/maintenance of the mirrors.

The feedback from the bodies that have been informed so far and asked for practical, technical and constructional support has been very positive. The mirrors are rated as a very effective component for increasing road safety due to their functionality, ease of installation and maintenance, as well as their cost.

Background

In a car, the blind spot can be seen through two exterior mirrors and the additional shoulder view. In a truck, the shoulder view from the driver's cab is not possible due to the design. Despite the mirrors fitted on the vehicle, there are four blind spots. In total, they affect around 38% of the areas next to and in front of the vehicle. Furthermore, for technical reasons, the trailing curve of the rear wheels of a truck has a narrower radius than the trailing curve of the front wheels. The entire following curve area of a truck thus represents the potentially fatal danger zone for cyclists. There is a high risk of drivers overlooking cyclists or pedestrians when turning right.

The principle of traffic mirrors is technically simple, but very effective: by installing traffic mirrors in the intersection area of turning vehicles, drivers (truck, bus and car drivers) can see themselves and the area in front of and to the right of their vehicle in the traffic mirror - and therefore also the blind spot area. This gives drivers the chance to avoid accidents in this area. It is important that drivers know why the mirror is there, what function it has and what opportunities it opens up. Accompanying public relations work is important for this.

The mirrors reduce the blind spot from the truck cab and thus demonstrably increase the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

But even fixed traffic mirrors do not offer 100% safety. Supplementary measures also help to increase road safety, such as

• Traffic mirrors do not exempt you from observing §1 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) (requirement of mutual consideration).
• As always in road traffic, the same applies here: Individual, personal eye contact between cyclists and motorists also increases safety in the respective traffic situation.
• As part of public relations work, drivers must be informed about the dangers of blind spots and the functionality of mirrors as an aid to increasing the safety of all road users.
• No technical measure can absolve cyclists from being aware of the dangers of blind spots and adapting their riding behavior accordingly for their own protection. Explanatory information for vulnerable road users regarding the complexity of the blind spot issue from the driver's point of view is still important.
• Driver assistance systems provide drivers with additional support in dealing with complex traffic situations safely. So far, however, assistance systems are only available for selected truck types and not from all manufacturers.