How to Overcome Bling Spots When Driving
All drivers should be equipped to handle blind spots when on the road. Do you know where the blind spots are in your vehicle? Are you able to determine where another driver’s blind spots are?
What Are Blind Spots?
Blind spots are the areas on both sides and rear of your car that can’t be seen in your rear mirror or side mirrors. It is important to make sure these spots are free and clear before changing lanes or merging into traffic in order to avoid a collision. This means you’ll have to physically turn around and check your blind spots before executing the lane change. A brief check around your shoulder and several looks in your mirror every 3-5 seconds is enough to ensure you’re safe to move over.
It is crucial to understand that all drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive, have blind spots around their vehicle. As a proactive driver, it’s your job to be able to point out other’s blind spots as well as your own.
5 Tips for Overcoming Blind Spots
- Physically turn to asses the blind spot(s) and also utilize your mirrors.
- Keep windows free of potential obstructions that can hinder sight checks (eg. clothes hanging in front of the window).
- Do not linger or cruise in another driver’s blind spot for a long duration.
- Keep a healthy distance between yourself and other cars.
- Use your turn signal every time you change lanes—allowing enough time between initiating the signal and changing or merging lanes.
Once you understand this concept, you can take the proper steps to stay out of other driver’s
blind spots and spot vehicles in your blind spots. The sizes of a vehicle’s blind spots are directly related to the size of their vehicle. Remember, the bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot. The blind spots of a semi-truck are so large and dangerous that they have a special name—we call them NO-ZONES.
If you’re interested in sharpening your knowledge and becoming a more proactive driver, contact Top Driver or sign up to take a driving course for teens (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio) or adults (Illinois, Michigan).
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a blind spot?
Blind spots are the areas on both sides and to the rear of your vehicle that you can't see in your rearview or side mirrors. They exist on every car, truck, and SUV regardless of make or model. Before you change lanes or merge, you need to physically turn your head and check those areas, because mirrors alone won't tell you whether a vehicle is hiding there. A quick shoulder check combined with mirror glances every 3 to 5 seconds is the baseline habit every driver should build.
How do I check my blind spots correctly?
Physically turn your head to look over your shoulder at the blind spot, then use your mirrors as confirmation, not as a substitute. Keep your windows clear of obstructions like clothes hanging on hooks, stacked items in the back seat, or anything else that blocks your sight line. Use your turn signal every time you change lanes and give other drivers enough time between the signal and the actual move so they can react. Don't linger in someone else's blind spot for longer than necessary, either pass or fall back.
Why are semi-truck blind spots called No-Zones?
A vehicle's blind spots are proportional to its size, so semi-trucks have massive blind spots in front, behind, and on both sides. These are large enough and dangerous enough that the industry gave them a dedicated name: No-Zones. If you can't see the truck driver in their mirror, they can't see you. Stay out of No-Zones, especially the area immediately behind a truck and along the right side of the trailer, and pass on the left side as efficiently as possible.
How can I tell where another driver's blind spots are?
Proactive driving means tracking other drivers' blind spots, not just your own. As a rule of thumb, if you can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, they can't see you. Bigger vehicles have bigger blind spots, so give trucks, vans, and SUVs more room than you would a sedan. Don't cruise next to another vehicle for extended periods, either complete your pass or drop back so you're clearly in their mirror or far enough behind that they can see you with a shoulder check.
What are the most important habits for managing blind spots?
Five habits cover it: physically turn to check the blind spot and use your mirrors as backup, keep your windows clear of anything that blocks your sight, never linger in another driver's blind spot, leave a healthy following and side distance, and signal early enough that drivers around you can react before you start the lane change. Build these in early and they become automatic, which is exactly what you want when you're making split-second decisions on the highway.
