If I wasn’t so tall, I wouldn’t have gotten this traffic ticket.
It was a rather official looking brown envelope. Tearing it open in expectation of some bill or other, I was surprised to find a picture of me driving in my car… entering a red lit intersection. Reading the text of the letter revealed that in exactly 0.3 seconds after that light turned red, my car entered the intersection, and thus I must pay the city $325. Just like evidence in the famed instant replays of modern sports, the situation was indisputable.
So, my fault you’re thinking, serves me right. Well, here is the scary truth: Like many other red lights, I never saw it! My vision line was cut off by the roof of my car! I’m just grateful this issue has never caused me to get in an accident.
By Derek Jensen (Tysto) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
My first instinct was to describe my predicament to the judge and ask for mercy. Then I came to my senses; a sane judge would be more likely to suspend my license than to give me a break. Instead, I searched for solutions to the problem. The best I found was the Fresnel lens in the image link below. Also, the best cars for tall people have a high Vision Line Height is also a big help. Check out some other solutions here: traffic light solutions for tall people.
Has your height ever gotten you in trouble, traffic ticket or otherwise?
I did buy a light in sight lens to help with this problem– although it doesn’t work very well during the daytime.
Normally seeing if the light is red isn’t an issue because I drive a Ford Excursion. Rental cars can be a problem.
Nope I’m short
No but I get a crick in my neck waiting for it to go green
Check near the end of the article, mentions a fresnel lens to help with that.
I missed a no U turn sign that way once. Fortunately the officer didn’t show up to court
Always!!! 6ft tall and cannot see the lights from my BMW!
Isn’t the photo supposed to capture your face through the windshield?
Different pic…
Wish I’d saved the original!
The storie of my life.
Yep, on occasion I’ve been at a junction I don’t know and “followed 3-4 cars thru green only to realise that it had changed to red…because I couldn’t see it officer…” 🙁
Yep, on occasion I’ve been at a junction I don’t know and “followed 3-4 cars thru green only to realise that it had changed to red…because I couldn’t see it officer…” 🙁
That seems like a good idea….however being a tad bit taller, this device would be placed right in my field of vision. This is not an option for me. After I wax my hood, I can usually see the stop light’s reflection. It doesn’t work for all stop lights though. I am thinking a mirror on my dash would work. I would much prefer having lights mounted lower than hanging in the middle of the intersection.
I know what you mean; even at my height it does take up a bit of my field of view. But at least it is fairly small compared to the rear view mirror. I used to use the hood of my car too (of course double checking the actual light before figuring it has turned green). As far as the mirror, I tried this and found it potentially blinding on bright sunny days. I’ve also tried a backup cam but found it hard to see the light in the image. Perhaps if it had been a better quality back up cam. Here is another traffic light Fresnel lens viewer, I believe it is even smaller.
No, my height has never gotten me in trouble. I learned a neat trick 30 years ago when I first started driving:
Lower your head and look. ?