Upper storage compartment

Master Driver Joined: Mar 27, 2010 Posts: 209

In trucks and rigs (lorries) I have found that there is usually an open storage compartment or boot in the ceiling, just above the visor and over the driver's head.

This position makes anything so much as a sheet of paper stored therein prone of falling over and possibly distracting the driver or blocking his view, if not hurting him or her all together.

I remember one collision where a driver complained that an object from that compartment fell over him and distracted him, making him swerve and hit a car in the offside.

Is it possible that given their work-related nature, these vehicles were manufacturerd with poorly designed compartments like this? Did the manufacturer did wrong by us drivers? Or is a matter of how you use it?

Do you find putting things in that position possibly dangerous? What is your position on the subject? Should we avoid using this boot categorically?

Seasoned Driver Joined: Jul 15, 2012 Posts: 120

Astraist wrote:

In trucks and rigs (lorries) I have found that there is usually an open storage compartment or boot in the ceiling, just above the visor and over the driver's head.

This position makes anything so much as a sheet of paper stored therein prone of falling over and possibly distracting the driver or blocking his view, if not hurting him or her all together.

I remember one collision where a driver complained that an object from that compartment fell over him and distracted him, making him swerve and hit a car in the offside.

Is it possible that given their work-related nature, these vehicles were manufacturerd with poorly designed compartments like this? Did the manufacturer did wrong by us drivers? Or is a matter of how you use it?

Do you find putting things in that position possibly dangerous? What is your position on the subject? Should we avoid using this boot categorically?

I am not familiar with this overhead compartment. do agree it would be a very poorly positioned storage area. In my opinion any unsecured items in a vehicles passenger compartment are a potential danger. Loose papers can become airborne when a window is opened at speed. Solid and/or heavy objects can become dangerous/deadly missiles during a crash. I learned a valuable lesson at the age of 19. I was driving my MGA roadster on a 35mph 2 way street and had already slowed as I was approaching a "T" intersection where a "flat bed" truck had already stopped for a red signal light. As I downshifted to second gear my forearm brushed an empty Pepsi Cola bottle which I had "secured" by wedging it between my seat and the gearbox tunnel. My arm tilted the bottle's neck rearward and rotated the bottom forward popping it free. At that time physics of decelleration performed flawlessly placing the bottle directly under my brake pedal! Fortunately I had slowed to about 15mph. My only option was to fully apply the emergency brake. The rear wheels locked resulting in a 90% directional change I crossed the opposing lane which was clear travelling backwards and squarely banged the curb bringing me to a stop with no damage or injury. It's nice to get a valuable driving lesson for free.

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:56 pm

Yep. You were lucky this time. I too had several cases of being lucky early in my driving career, which essentially set me straight for the rest of my life. What I am wondering is if this happens to everybody and some people just are ignorant enough to ignore the message, or this is just us, lucky ones?

Seasoned Driver Joined: Jul 15, 2012 Posts: 120

Misha wrote:

Yep. You were lucky this time. I too had several cases of being lucky early in my driving career, which essentially set me straight for the rest of my life. What I am wondering is if this happens to everybody and some people just are ignorant enough to ignore the message, or this is just us, lucky ones?

Yes when I was young at least a half dozen unexpected loss of traction incidents with only one very minor crash. Very lucky. Nowdays I don't even come close to the loss of traction threshold and no loose objects. Wisdom does come with age and experience.