Blind spots, areas obstructed from your view while driving, pose a significant risk of accidents. These hidden areas can conceal vehicles, especially when starting from a stationary position or changing lanes.
To mitigate this risk, it’s essential to develop the habit of checking your blind spots regularly. This simple yet effective technique can significantly enhance your safety on the road and improve your chances of passing your driving test. In this guide, we’ll delve into the identification of blind spots and provide practical tips on when and how to check them.
What are your blind spots when driving?
While your mirrors provide a good view of the road behind you, they can’t capture everything. Blind spots are areas that are hidden from your direct view and mirror reflections. These areas can pose potential hazards if not properly monitored.
Common blind spots include:
- Diagonal Rear Blind Spot: Vehicles that are further back and to the side of your car, particularly when they’re moving into your lane.
- Diagonal Front Blind Spot: Areas obstructed by the A-pillars of your vehicle, limiting visibility at intersections or when turning.
By being aware of these blind spots and using proper head-checking techniques, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
When should I check my blind spots?
As a responsible driver, maintaining awareness of your surroundings is paramount. While relying on mirrors is essential, it’s equally important to actively check your blind spots. This is particularly crucial in the following situations:
- At Junctions: Utilize proper observational checks to identify any hidden traffic that may be obscured by your vehicle’s A-pillars.
- Before Setting Off: Ensure there are no obstructions or oncoming vehicles before moving forward.
- Changing Lanes: Check for vehicles in your blind spot, especially when overtaking or merging onto a multi-lane road.
- Merging Traffic: Be mindful of vehicles merging into your lane from slip roads or other lanes. Adjust your speed or change lanes to accommodate them.
- Turning into Side Roads: Before turning, check your blind spot to avoid potential collisions with cyclists or other vehicles.
How do I check my blind spots?
To effectively check your blind spots, follow these steps:
- Turn your head: Rotate your head to directly observe the area that cannot be seen in your mirrors.
- Verify clearance: Ensure the area behind and beside your vehicle is clear of any obstructions or approaching vehicles.
Practice this technique while stationary to develop muscle memory and ensure proper head positioning. This will help you integrate blind spot checks seamlessly into your regular driving routine.
Moving off
Before driving off from the side of the road, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough check of your surroundings. Typically, this involves a clockwise sweep, including:
- Right Shoulder Check: Glance over your right shoulder to ensure there are no obstacles or vehicles approaching from the right.
- Left Shoulder Check: Glance over your left shoulder to identify any potential hazards or approaching vehicles.
- Left Wing Mirror Check: Check your left wing mirror for vehicles in your blind spot.
- Rearview Mirror Check: Scan the rearview mirror to assess the traffic behind you.
- Right Wing Mirror Check: Check your right wing mirror for vehicles in your blind spot.
After an emergency stop
While it’s not always feasible to check your mirrors before an emergency stop, it’s crucial to prioritize checking your blind spots and mirrors before resuming movement after a stop. This proactive approach helps ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Setting off again after sitting in traffic
Before moving off in traffic, it’s essential to check all three mirrors. While a full blind spot check might not be necessary in this situation, be mindful of cyclists or motorcyclists who may have positioned themselves alongside your vehicle during the stop.
At junctions
Junctions can present challenges due to limited visibility caused by the A-pillars of your vehicle. To ensure safety, follow these tips:
- Multiple Checks: Perform multiple checks to the left and right, allowing sufficient time for any approaching vehicles to enter your field of vision.
- Reduce Speed: Slow down as you approach the junction to gain better control and visibility.
- Head Movement: Slightly lean forward to improve your sightline and reduce blind spots.
When moving
While it’s generally advisable to keep your focus on the road ahead, there are specific situations where checking your mirrors isn’t sufficient. When changing lanes or merging with traffic, it’s essential to perform a blind spot check. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Check the Rearview Mirror: This gives you a broad overview of the traffic behind you.
- Check the Wing Mirror: This provides a closer look at the traffic in your lane and the adjacent lane.
- Shoulder Check: Turn your head to directly check for any vehicles that might be hidden in your blind spot.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you’re aware of all surrounding vehicles and can safely change lanes without endangering yourself or others.
Top Tip
It’s crucial to maintain constant situational awareness while driving. Keep an eye on other vehicles in your mirrors and be mindful of potential blind spot hazards. If you notice a vehicle disappearing from your mirrors, it may have moved into your blind spot.
Checking your blind spots during the driving test
Failing to check your blind spots before moving off during your driving test can result in a minor fault or, in more critical situations, a serious fault leading to an automatic test failure. In fact, not moving off safely was among the top 10 most common reasons for driving test failures in 2019/20.
Blind Spot FAQs
What do I do if someone cuts me up?
If you suspect a vehicle has failed to notice you in their blind spot, use your horn to alert them to your presence. Additionally, adjust your speed or change lanes to create more distance between the two vehicles.
How can I be aware of other drivers’ blind spots?
While drivers of larger vehicles like trucks may have significant blind spots, even smaller vehicles can obscure visibility. It’s essential to be aware of these limitations and to anticipate the actions of other drivers, particularly when they signal their intentions.
Can I use blind spot mirrors?
While blind spot mirrors can be helpful in expanding your field of vision, they should not replace the essential practice of manually checking your blind spots. It’s important to rely on both methods to ensure maximum safety.
Most driving instructors prioritize teaching the fundamental skills of observation and clear signaling, rather than relying on additional accessories. These skills are crucial for avoiding accidents and maintaining a safe driving practice.
Do you feel confident in your ability to observe traffic conditions effectively and signal your intentions clearly?