Blind spots are the areas around your vehicle that you can't see using your mirrors alone when driving. 

These invisible zones pose a significant risk because they can hide other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians, making it easy to miss them when changing lanes, merging, or turning. 

According to the report presented at the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals Conference, 130 fatal collisions involving large commercial vehicles were caused by blind spots.

Considering these statistics, it becomes essential to understand blind spots and the best course of action to address them to prevent accidents. 

Whether you're driving a small car or a larger vehicle like an SUV or truck, blind spots can vary, but the chances of collision remain consistent.

Properly adjusting your mirrors, checking over your shoulder, and using technology like blind-spot monitors can help you detect vehicles that might be out of view. 

Being proactive about managing blind spots helps prevent accidents. It contributes to a safer driving environment for everyone on the road. 

What are Blind Spots?

Blind spots are the areas around a vehicle that the driver cannot see directly through their mirrors or windows. 

These invisible zones can hide other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles, making them a significant hazard when changing lanes, merging, or turning.

Blind spots are gaps in the driver's field of vision, where essential details can be missed, potentially leading to accidents.

Blind spots occur because the vehicles' mirrors, while essential for viewing the road behind and to the sides, do not provide a complete 360-degree view. 

The size and location of blind spots can vary depending on the vehicle's design, with larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs generally having more extensive blind spots than smaller cars.

There is also a difference between vehicle blind spots and driver blind spots. Vehicle blind spots are related to the car's structure, such as areas blocked by the rear pillars or the vehicle's body. 

Driver blind spots refer to the natural limitations of a driver's vision. Factors like seat position, height, and even the angle at which the driver looks into the mirrors can affect what they see and what remains hidden.

Considering and dealing with both blind spots is essential for safe driving. 

Being aware of where these blind spots are and compensating for them with proper mirror adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

How to Deal with Blind Spots

Dealing with blind spots is crucial for safe driving, as these unseen areas can hide vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians, leading to potential accidents. 

While blind spots are a natural part of driving, they can be managed effectively with proper techniques. 

Understanding how to manage blind spots improves your safety and contributes to safer roads for everyone. It is one of the most crucial components of a defensive driving course. 

Canada Safety Training Centre can help you enroll in online safety courses so you can understand the techniques, examples, and benefits of defensive driving to implement them. 

Let's explore how to adjust mirrors for optimal visibility and the benefits of using blind spot mirrors to enhance your field of view.

1. Adjusting Mirrors

Properly adjusting your mirrors is the first step in minimizing blind spots. 

The side mirrors and rearview mirror are designed to give you a comprehensive view of the road around you, but incorrect positioning can leave critical gaps in your visibility. 

A common mistake many drivers make is setting their side mirrors to show a portion of their vehicle, which can create larger blind spots.

To adjust your mirrors correctly, start by setting your rearview mirror so you can see directly from the back window without any obstruction. This mirror should provide a clear view of the road behind you, covering as much of the rear as possible. 

For the side mirrors, instead of positioning them to include the side of your car, adjust them outward just enough so that the edges of your vehicle are barely visible. 

This adjustment helps to minimize the overlap between what you see in your rearview and side mirrors, significantly reducing blind spots.

Regularly check your mirrors while driving and make minor adjustments if needed. Ensuring your mirrors are correctly aligned every time you drive will improve your road awareness.

2. Using Blind Spot Mirrors

Blind spot mirrors are small, curved mirrors that attach to your vehicle's side mirrors to enhance visibility in typically hard-to-see areas. 

These mirrors provide a wider field of view, helping you to see more of the road and any vehicles lingering in your blind spots. 

They are particularly beneficial for larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs, which naturally have more extensive blind spots.

The main advantage of blind spot mirrors is that they give you a complete view of the adjacent lanes, helping you detect other vehicles or obstacles that might not be visible in your standard mirrors. 

When installed correctly, these mirrors can significantly reduce the risk of accidents by ensuring drivers are aware of vehicles or hazards before changing lanes or driving on a highway.

To install blind spot mirrors, place them on the outer edge of your side mirrors, where they can provide the best additional coverage. 

It's important to angle them correctly; they should show you the areas your standard mirrors miss, particularly the lanes next to you. 

While blind spot mirrors are an excellent tool, they should be used with proper mirror adjustments and frequent shoulder checks to ensure comprehensive awareness of your surroundings.

Using blind spot mirrors as part of your safe driving routine can significantly improve your safety, give you peace of mind, and help you avoid dangerous situations on the road.

3. Checking Blind Spots

Checking blind spots before changing lanes or merging is crucial for avoiding collisions and ensuring the safety of everyone on the road. 

Relying solely on mirrors can leave you vulnerable to these hidden dangers, making it essential to develop the habit of physically turning your head to check these areas before making any maneuvers.

To check blind spots effectively, start by signaling your intent to change lanes or merge. This will alert other drivers to your intentions and allow them to react accordingly. 

Next, quickly glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move. 

The brief head turn allows you to visually scan the area that isn't visible in your mirrors, ensuring that no vehicle or obstacle is in your blind spot. 

It's essential to perform this check quickly but thoroughly to avoid taking your eyes off the road ahead for too long.

In addition to these steps, always be aware of the vehicles around you. This can help you anticipate when a vehicle might be in your blind spot, reducing the risk of surprise. 

4. Using Technology

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become invaluable tools in helping drivers manage blind spots and avoid potential accidents. 

These systems are designed to enhance situational awareness and provide additional layers of safety by monitoring areas around the vehicle that are typically hidden from view.

One key feature of ADAS is blind spot detection. This system uses sensors to monitor the sides of your vehicle and alerts you when another vehicle enters your blind spot.

These alerts are usually visual, such as a light on your side mirror, and can also include an audible warning if you signal to change lanes while another vehicle is in your blind spot. 

This technology greatly reduces the risk of collisions by providing drivers with real-time information about the presence of nearby vehicles.

Another essential feature is the lane departure warning system. This technology helps prevent unintentional lane changes by alerting drivers when the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling. 

By combining blind spot detection with lane departure warnings, drivers are better equipped to make safe lane changes and merges, particularly in high-traffic or low-visibility conditions.

While ADAS is a powerful tool in mitigating blind spots, it's important to remember that these systems are not foolproof. 

Drivers should still manually check their blind spots and use these technologies as supplementary aids to enhance overall safety.

5- Additional Safety Measures

Drivers should adopt several other safety measures, including adjusting mirrors, using blind spot mirrors, and relying on advanced technology to ensure maximum visibility and minimize the risk of accidents. 

These measures include safe lane changes, careful merging, and utilizing backup cameras to reduce rear blind spots. 

Each practice plays a crucial role in creating a safer driving environment by addressing different aspects of blind spot management.

Lane Changes

Safe lane changes are essential for preventing accidents, especially in heavy traffic. 

Start by signaling your intention to alert other drivers to safely perform a lane change. This gives them time to adjust their speed or position accordingly. 

Next, check your mirrors to assess the traffic around you, but remember that mirrors have limitations. 

That's why it's crucial to physically turn your head to check your blind spots before moving. 

This glance ensures that there are no vehicles, cyclists, or other obstacles in the area you intend to move into. 

If the way is clear, change lanes smoothly and steadily without abrupt movements, maintaining a consistent speed throughout the maneuver.

Merging

Merging onto highways or into heavy traffic requires even more caution. Start by matching the speed of the traffic you're merging into, which allows you to blend in smoothly without causing disruptions. 

As you approach the merge point, use your mirrors to monitor the vehicles around you, and don't forget to check your blind spots by turning your head. 

It's essential to look for gaps in traffic and anticipate the movements of other drivers to avoid sudden braking or acceleration. 

Merging should be done gradually, with clear signaling and smooth steering, to ensure you don't cut off other vehicles or cause unnecessary risks.

Backup Cameras

Backup cameras have become a standard feature in modern vehicles, significantly improving driver safety by reducing rear blind spots. 

These cameras provide a clear view of what's directly behind the vehicle, making it easier to spot obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles while reversing. 

This is especially helpful in parking lots, driveways, or tight spaces where rear visibility is often limited. 

Backup cameras not only assist in avoiding collisions while reversing but also make parking more precise and less stressful. 

These cameras provide visual aids that enhance overall awareness, allowing for safer and more confident driving maneuvers.

FAQs

Do all cars have a blind spot?

Yes, all cars have blind spots, which are the areas around the vehicle that aren't visible through the mirrors.

What is the difference between a black spot and a blind spot when driving?

A black spot refers to a high-accident location on roads, while a blind spot is an area around the vehicle that the driver can't see.

How do you avoid blind spots when driving?

Adjust mirrors correctly, check over your shoulder before changing lanes, and use blind spot detection technology if available.

Where is the most common blind spot in a vehicle?

The most common blind spot is located on the sides of the vehicle, slightly behind the driver's shoulder.

Conclusion

Properly comprehending what are blind spots and how to manage them is crucial for safe driving. Every driver must be aware of these blind spots and take steps to minimize the risks they pose.

Adjusting your mirrors correctly is the first step in reducing blind spots. Proper mirror placement can significantly enhance your field of vision, covering areas that might otherwise be unseen. However, mirrors alone aren't enough. 

It's essential to physically check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder before making any lane changes or turns.

Blind spot mirrors and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are valuable tools that can further improve safety. 

These technologies, such as blind spot detection and lane departure warning systems, offer an additional layer of security by alerting drivers to vehicles or obstacles in their blind spots.

Adopting additional safety measures, such as cautious lane changes, safe merging practices, and backup cameras, can help avoid accidents caused by blind spots. 

Backup cameras, for instance, are particularly useful for reducing rear blind spots when reversing.

Awareness of and addressing blind spots prevents accidents and ensures a safer driving experience. 

By combining proper mirror adjustments, physical checks, and technology, drivers can effectively manage blind spots and reduce the risk of collisions.