When moving off during your driving lessons, you’ve might have heard your driving instructor say, “make sure to check your blind spots.” But exactly what is a blind spot in a car and why is it so important to check it?
What is a blind spot?
When you’re sat in the driver’s seat of a car, the windscreen, windows, interior mirror and wing mirrors allow you to see what’s around you. However, there are certain places in the car that the mirrors aren’t able to effectively reach. Because the mirrors don’t cover that area properly, you’ll have to turn your head to view what the mirror can’t show you – this is your blind spot.
The size and location of the blind spot can vary depending on the vehicle you are in, but in most cars it will be over the driver’s right shoulder, which commonly leads to a blind spot check being known as a right shoulder check.
Other common blind spots are known as A-pillar blind spots – blind spots created by the columns on the edges of the windscreen.
Why is it important to check your blind spot?
Because it’s an area the mirrors don’t fully cover, there could be other road users you have not seen occupying that space. If you move off in the car without checking that area, you could end up in an accident.
When to check your blind spot
The blind spot check should take place when moving the car off from a stationary position as the last part of your observations, before releasing the handbrake during the POM (Preparation-Observation-Manoeuvre) routine.
During a driving test, the examiner will ask you to pull up on the left next to the kerb, before asking you to move off again when you are ready. You must remember to check your right blind spot before moving off again as the examiner is looking to see if you can pull away safely.
You should also check the appropriate mirrors and right or left blind spot when changing lanes too.
Do you still need to check your blind spots if you have blind spot mirrors?
While blind spot mirrors and other additional tools such as blind spot sensors are useful by covering a greater area, they should only be used as additional aids and not replace your blind spot checks. Not only could they not completely cover your blind spots, but relying on them could result in complacency when driving – particular if driving a different car which doesn’t have them.
