There were 46 cyclist-related deaths in 2023 in Australia. A major reason for these deaths was driving blind spots. The cyclist was coming along the way as he should be. A truck or lorry was changing sides or direction. The driver forgot to check his blind spot. However, the cyclist didn’t know that. He thought the driver must’ve seen him. The result was a crash that led to injury or death. This scenario doesn’t only happen with cyclists and truckers. Small cars might also collide with a pedestrian or other vehicle. The solution is understanding and being aware of your driving blind spots. Safe driving habits and blind spot warning systems can also help with collision avoidance.
Understanding Driving Blind Spots
The mirrors in a vehicle help the driver to get a view of the surroundings without turning their head around. However, there are some spots the mirrors don’t cover. These are the blind spots. Failure to notice these blind spots invites several dangers. The commonest scenarios are-
- You might collide with another vehicle while changing lanes
- Crash with another vehicle approaching from behind during merging
- Hit a pedestrian, cyclist or small car when turning
- A driver might side-swipe a vehicle in the same lane because it was in his blind spot
- Hitting another car or a person in the parking lot when reversing
Types of Blind Spots
There are several types of driving blind spots a driver encounters on the road. Learning about them is crucial for blind spot monitoring-
- Rear Blind spot: The area directly behind your car or truck. It’s not visible in the rearview mirror.
- Side Blind spots: Area on either side of the car that the side mirrors can’t cover.
- A-Pillar Blind spot: The frame on the windshield’s sides is the A-Pillar. It can sometimes block your view of approaching vehicles, road signs and pedestrians.
- B-Pillar Blind Spot: The part of your car between the front and rear doors is the B-Pillar. It can create a blind spot that blocks the side-to-side view.
- C-Pillar Blind Spot: The area next to the rear window, behind the rear door. You might miss a cyclist or pedestrian if they fall in this blind spot.
- Hood Blindspot: the height of the hood in front of the vehicle might sometimes obstruct the front view.
- Over-the-shoulder Blind spot: The rear-view mirror cannot show the area diagonally behind the driver.
Different Vehicle Blind Spots
Blind spots can be different depending on the type of vehicle you drive. As a result, some vehicles demand much more driver awareness than others-
- Small car: These vehicles have two main blind spots on the left and right.
- SUVs, Trucks, and Buses: Have larger blind spots on the sides compared to the average car. They also have additional blind spots in the front and rear. The case is similar for vans and minivans. Commercial semi trucks have the most extensive blind spots. These are also known as ‘No Zones’.
- Motorcycles: Have the smallest blind spots of all vehicles. Still, bikers need to be careful of their sides.
How Do You Overcome Driving Blind Spots?
Following the common driving safety tips can help you avoid blind spot accidents. For instance, drive slowly, mind your surroundings, maintain distance, etc. Various driver assistance technology and automotive safety features can also help you overcome blind spots.
Over-the-Shoulder Check
You should check the rearview mirror while parking the car. But that alone won’t give you the full view sometimes. So, you must perform an over-the-shoulder check to get a complete rear view. Never forget to quickly turn your head before you turn, merge or change lanes. Developing this habit is an important part of traffic safety measures.
The Australian licensing authorities recommend a full hazard scanning among other safe driving tips. This is especially important for vehicles with extensive blind spots.
You should get a full 360 view of your surroundings before turning or reversing. Turning the head alone might not be enough. You have to turn your whole body for the full picture of your surroundings. Drivers should also look out of the side windows and windshields if necessary.
Adjust Your Seat
Seat adjustment is crucial, too, for safe driving. The way you sit has an impact on the ability to check blind spots. Check on the height, distance, and posture of the seat. Adjust the height so that it gives a proper view of the dashboard. Check if you can see through the windows as well. Sitting upright gives a wider vision with better awareness of your surroundings. Adjusting the seat accordingly will help determine the blind spot areas.
Adjust Mirror Positioning
Proper mirror positioning is key for safe driving. Ensure your mirrors are clean and not cracked. This is an important extension of your field of vision. Check them without fail before each trip. Mirrors in perfect condition prevent detrimental blind spots, limiting the risk of accidents. Always keep your mirrors in top shape to avoid mishaps. Adjust the side mirrors in such a way that the side of your is slightly visible on the mirrors. This will help you compare the distance between your car and another car.
Stay Alert of Other Vehicles
Always be aware of other vehicles on the road. Use your rearview camera and driver assistance systems to monitor blind spots. Lane change assistance helps you switch lanes safely. You need to avoid staying in the blind spot of larger cars. This will help you stay safe and prevent accidents.
Must Use Turn Signals
A study shows that 14.6% of car drivers face crashes because of failing to use turn signals. Using turn signals is your responsibility. Signal every time you plan to change lanes or turn. This prevents surprise moves that could cause accidents. You must remember that lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems help, but signals are crucial.
Be Patient When Driving
It’s important to have patience when driving. Wait for a few seconds before changing lanes. Take time to check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. You need to avoid rushing or making sudden movements. It will keep both you and other drivers safe. Adjusting mirrors won’t help if you don’t look at them when driving.
Learn from Professionals
It’s important to learn from a professional driving school. Their expert trainers can help in forming good driving habits. They follow a systematic approach to ensure you are aware of every detail. Learning from friends and family members may not be able to instruct these rules properly. Besides, professional instructors, from their years of experience, know what are the common mistakes drivers make. And that includes overlooking blind spots. With their expert help, you can form safety habits and overcome blind spot problems.
Final Words
You need to form some good habits to overcome blind spot issues. Follow the above-mentioned tips, and you will drive safely. Be mindful of your surroundings when changing or merging lanes. However, developing these habits is easiest when you are just starting. Affordable Driving School is a great option here. Our qualified and experienced trainers will prepare you to be the best driver on the road. With our driving lessons, you can easily pass all licensing exams. Plus, we will implant safe driving practices within you from the very beginning. Contact us today.