SEPTA drivers say mirrors that are supposed to help them see behind them are actually impairing their ability to see in front of them.
It's a pretty big blind spot, especially since it's right in front of the drivers. Union officials say the mirrors contributed to two deaths back in 2004, and they say they have been fighting with SEPTA for years to fix the problem.
Before you take a step off the curb or the next time you're riding alongside a bus, SEPTA drivers say beware.
"These mirrors are a problem," Union Vice President Carl Greer said, adding that they've nicknamed these left side-view mirrors made by Rosco "death mirrors."
"The public is in danger of getting permanently maimed and actually killed by these vehicles," Greer said.
SEPTA drivers say these mirrors are just way too big, creating a blind spot they can't see around. And that makes it extremely dangerous for anybody out there on the road.
Union officials argue the mirrors contributed to two deaths back in 2004, one at Ninth Street and Erie Avenue and the other at Ogontz Avenue and Washington Lane.
Both victims were walking in front of the bus when it turned left, hitting them.
According to SEPTA, since 2010 there have been 42 left turn pedestrian accidents, three of them deadly.
We gave suburban bus riders and city walkers a look at the blind spot from the bus driver's seat.
SEPTA issued a statement that read, "With all vehicles there may be a temporary obstruction caused by the side mirror which can be overcome with diligent driving. All SEPTA operators have participated in Pedestrian Safety and Awareness Training classes. Furthermore, the position of the side mirrors is a hazard has not been successful in arbitration hearings with neutral third parties."
FOX 29's Omari Fleming reported that Cleveland, Ohio, had similar issues with their mirrors. After a series of accidents, one of them deadly, Cleveland lowered them for better visibility.
SEPTA says drivers are given pedestrian training classes. The union says it's concerned about your safety and the fact that drivers have been fired because of the accidents.
