Limitations to the field of view
As the driver of a moped, snorfiets or speed pedelec, you generally have few things that can limit your field of view. A two-wheeled vehicle does not have window pillars behind which road users can disappear. By turning your head you have a wide field of view. Make use of this. The biggest limitations to the field of view are caused by a fogged up or sprinkled visor, poorly adjusted mirror(s) or loose or billowing clothing reducing the view in the mirrors. Therefore, always wear snug fitting clothing, make sure that you have a good visor that fogs up less quickly and check whether your mirror(s) are adjusted properly before every ride. You do this by sitting on your vehicle, in the position you take while riding.
A brommobiel naturally has more parts that obstruct your view. Keep this in mind by consciously looking around them.
Obstruction of view caused by the environment
You can encounter a limitation of the view due to buildings, vegetation or other road users. You can see an example of this in the cover situation below, where a driver thinks they can enter the road, but has not yet been able to see the approaching passenger car from behind the turning lorry.
Unfortunately, this is a situation where our brain can mislead us. What you do not consciously think about and what your eyes do not perceive, is not there for your brain. This can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal situations.
As a driver, you can do something about this. Be aware of places you cannot oversee. Assume that vehicles can come from here. Adjust your speed to this, so that you can stop in time.
The brommobiel driver cannot see the red car due to the lorry. If the brommobiel driver is not consciously involved in this, it can lead to a cover accident.
As a driver of a two-wheeled vehicle you need to be even more defensive about this. A lot of accidents happen because you are ‘overlooked’. Accept this fact and keep in mind that other drivers do not see you. Ride visibly and try to recognise cover situations in time.
Always make sure that you ride ‘visibly’. Do not hide yourself behind a bigger vehicle but keep your distance and do not ride too far to the right. The front moped rider is poorly visible to the lorry and oncoming traffic and is not riding safely here. The rear moped rider is more visible and can also see around the lorry better.
Other road users’ field of view
Some drivers have a poor all-round visibility simply because of their vehicle. Think of lorry drivers or drivers of vehicles with trailers.
Give these vehicles the space they need and assume that someone cannot see you if you cannot see them. Keep out of the blind spots as much as possible.
If the driver of the bus has adjusted the mirrors correctly, then you are visible in area 2. Area 1 can be partially overseen if the driver turns his head well. Area 3 cannot be overseen at all.