Blind spots make it hard for drivers to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects on the road. While they vary on several factors, there are general vehicle blind spots that all responsible drivers should know about.
What Is a Blind Spot?
As a driver, you need good visibility to be able to drive, park, and exit your vehicle safely. However, you can never have complete visibility of your surroundings because of blind spots.
A blind spot is any area around your vehicle that you can’t see without turning your head to look. Even with your side and rear view mirrors, you still have to take your eyes off the road to see what’s in your blind spot.
Trucks have “no-zones” or blind spots where the truck driver has little to no visibility at all.
How Do Blind Spots Differ Among Vehicles?
Every vehicle has at least one blind spot, but where it is can depend on a lot of factors, such as the size, structure, and type of the vehicle. For example, trucks have bigger blind spots than cars because they’re bigger. This is a good thing to keep in mind whenever you find yourself driving next to a truck on the road. Trucks have “no-zones” or blind spots where the truck driver has little to no visibility at all.
Similarly, those driving motorcycles have fewer blind spots than those driving cars. Because motorcycles are smaller and have no pillars, motorcyclists have fewer blind spots than car owners do.
Blind spots will vary among cars too, so it’s important to always check the blind spots in your own vehicle.
Where Are the Blind Spots in a Car?
Behind the Pillars
Most cars have four pillars that support its roof and body, and these pillars often limit the driver’s visibility. For example, the A-pillar supports the windshield, but it can also block your vision when looking to your left or right. Similarly, the C or D-pillar, which supports the rear window, can also block what you can see behind you.
The width of these pillars will depend on your car’s make and model, but the thicker they are, the bigger your blind spot is. On the other hand, some cars, such as convertibles, won’t have B-pillars and C-pillars at all. Without them, the driver can have greater visibility.
Cargo and Passengers
Because passengers sit next to the windows, they can limit your view as the driver. In this case, you can always ask them to move if they block your visibility. It’s also best not to overload your car with too many passengers. For example, seven people crammed in a five-seater car is probably not a good idea.
Another thing that can create blind spots in your car is bulky cargo. Placing them in the backseat can limit your visibility of what’s behind you, so you might end up bumping into another vehicle when reversing. As much as possible, place your cargo in the trunk or on the roof rack.
Headrests
Cars with larger seating capacities come with more headrests, which can limit driver visibility. Headrests can also create blind spots if they are too bulky, adjusted too high, or have too many accessories. If your headrests start blocking your vision, you can try adjusting them or swapping them out with smaller ones. You can also avoid using bulky neck pillows that could make your blind spot bigger.
When Does a Car Blind Spot Cause An Accident?
A car blind spot increases the chances of road accidents by forcing you to take your gaze away from the road ahead. You might not spot potential dangers in time because you’re looking elsewhere, turned away, or didn’t turn in time.
When you back your vehicle, you’re looking behind you, either over your shoulder or using one of the mirrors. If a pedestrian or another car crosses in front of your vehicle, you probably won’t notice them until you turn around.
The same issues apply when you change lanes on a multilane road. You’re doing your best to avoid getting sideswiped or rear-ended by other drivers. However, you might initiate a side collision or rear-end impact because a car blind spot prevents you from spotting them or makes you misjudge distances.
Merging into traffic streams can become difficult because of a car blind spot. You have many more vehicles to keep track of.
When to Check Your Blind Spots
While it’s important to check on your blind spots, doing so too often can be dangerous. Keeping your attention away from what’s in front of you can cause serious traffic accidents, so it’s best to check your blind spots when the situation calls for it. Here are some examples of when you should check your blind spots:
Changing or merging lanes
Making a turn
Pulling away from the curb
Reversing the vehicle
Exiting the vehicle
Keep in mind that these are just some examples, and you should always use your best judgment when checking your blind spots.
The common blind spots of in most vehicles are behind the car pillars, cargo and passengers, and headrests.
How to Avoid Car Blind Spots
Check Mirrors Regularly
The main function of your side and rear view mirrors is to minimize your blind spots by letting you see around you. Because of this, it’s important to make sure your mirrors are in good condition. Be sure to clean your mirrors regularly, and adjust them if they’re in the wrong position.
Do Shoulder Checks Correctly
When checking your blind spot, be sure to do the shoulder check correctly. The shoulder check means turning your head 90 degrees to either side to look outside the window. Simply peeking to the side won’t be enough to give you a proper view of your blind spot, so be sure to turn your head briefly until your chin almost meets your shoulder.
Clear Any Objects Blocking Your View
Large accessories dangling from your rear view mirror, a stack of cargo in the backseat, and bulky pillows on the headrest can all increase your blind spots. These objects can also distract you, so it’s best to clear any objects in your vehicle that can block your view.
Invest in Blind Spot Detection Systems
Some newer vehicles come with a blind spot detection system that alerts the driver when there is a car in the blind spot. They have an indicator light that turns on to alert the driver that they are too close to another vehicle on the road.
Some cars also come with a blind spot camera, which allows the driver to see behind them through a monitor on the center console. It might be a good idea to invest in one of these aftermarket blind spot systems to help you when you drive.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
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