As a driver or during your driving lessons, you will likely have come across the term ‘blind spot’, but you might not know exactly what this means. In this blog, we’re going to look at what ‘blind spot’ means when driving, where they are, and how to check your blind spots.
What is a blind spot when driving?
Your side mirrors and rear view mirror give you a good view around the car when driving however, there are areas that they don’t cover and these are referred to as your blind spots.
Before setting off on a journey you should always check that you can see behind you and both sides of the car are visible in your mirrors. And if not adjust accordingly.
The best way to see the areas not covered by your blind spots is to look over your shoulder to make sure no other vehicles are too close to make a manoeuvre dangerous, such as changing lanes.
When you have driven behind larger vehicles, such as lorries, you have probably seen a message on the back left of the vehicle that reads – ‘blind spot, take care’ – or similar. This is because the blind spots on a larger vehicle are bigger than on a car.
What are your driving blind spots?
When you are learning to drive, the term ‘blind spot’ is something you will hear your driving instructor refer to a lot, as these are important areas to think about when setting off and during your journey.
Your blind spots are just that – they are the areas that you cannot see when you are facing forward in the car, in your mirrors. This includes areas concealed by the framework of your car, including;
Diagonally behind you – Your rear view and side mirrors help you to see vehicles further behind you however, when vehicles are close to yours, such as next to you in a lane, they become hidden from view.
Diagonally in front of you – The framework of your car, such as the A-pillars on either side of your windscreen, obstruct your vision.
When to check your blind spots
It is important to always be aware of what is around you when driving to keep yourself and other road users safe. The times when it is particularly important to check your blind spots are:
Before moving off from a stationary position
Before changing lanes
When turning into a road
When another vehicle moves into your lane
At a junction
Blind spot mirrors
For additional help, it is possible to buy blind spot mirrors that can be attached to your side mirrors. They will give you a wider view of the side and rear of your car. If you do choose to use these, please remember that they should not replace physical checks of your blind spots.
We hope that this article has given you a clear description of the blind spots that you will encounter when driving. If you have any questions or would like to be reminded of these in an upcoming driving lesson, don’t hesitate to discuss this with your instructor.