Somewhere in between your "proper" driver and your "shitty" driver is the average driver, who is substantially more likely to fail to see things when they have a giant blind spot right there.

A good driver who is tired is a bad driver. It’s a bad design because one needs to work around it as part of a largely subconscious activity.

But this isn’t even sort of what is wrong with American road design.

Leave pick up trucks alone! 😭

Yeah, the previous pillars were look-aroundable with binocolar vision, but these create a definite blind spot.

Edit: Why the downvotes? Previous A pillar was much thinner.

How about the government doesn't mandate a blind spot exactly where oncoming traffic would be?

What a fucking stupid attitude you have.

You don't see the same amount of deaths

The government regulations just say "the pillar must be this strong"

Not really. I don't think there exists a standard that directly dictates a-pillar length. In fact, they have to hire large teams of engineers to decide how thick it must be. It's a very challenging question - one that is solved via engineering and design and cannot be solved wholesale via a blanket regulation.

What the government does regulate is roof crushing resistance and a side-impact system that accommodates curtain airbags. The engineers have to balance these requirements with ensuring fitment for airbags, wire looms, and cushioning. The "a-pillar useless plastic aesthetics" being called out in this thread are far from useless. The a-pillar is one of the things a driver is most likely to bonk their head on. The engineers have to strategically place padding inside these pillars.

I am first in line here.