What is the blind zone of an automobile?

When you’re behind the wheel, you have to pay attention to what other drivers are doing. However, that’s not limited to those in front of you. You also have to pay attention to drivers behind you, and often to either side as well. That’s why automakers include three mirrors on vehicles – two side view mirrors and a rearview mirror. However, all cars suffer from blind spots. What is a blind spot in car?

Índice Show

Understanding a car blind spot
How to avoid blind spots
What causes blind spots?
Solutions for reducing blind spots
When should you check for blind spots?
Can blind spots be used as an excuse any longer?

A blind spot is pretty much what the name implies – an area that you can’t see easily from the driver’s seat. A vehicle can “hide” in your blind spot, making it impossible to see what the other driver is doing (changing lanes, for instance). There are two blind spots in the average vehicle, one on either side of the car, extending from roughly the rear of the vehicle back in a triangle. However, understand that different vehicles have varying blind spots – a tractor trailer has enormous blind spots, for instance.

There are several ways that you can avoid blind spots and enhance your safety while on the road. The most important is to adjust your side view mirrors properly. You should not be able to see the side of your own car in the side view mirror. You should adjust them outward to provide the widest possible field of view on both the driver and passenger sides of your vehicle.

Another tip is to use a blind spot mirror. These are small, convex mirrors that attach to either your driver’s side view mirror or its housing. The mirror is curved outward, which offers significantly better visibility and can help enhance your safety. The mounting location for a blind spot mirror is generally at the upper outer corner of your side view mirror, but this varies from one car to another. You’ll need to experiment with different locations to find the one best suited for you.

Vehicle blind spots and carelessness are a deadly combination. Here’s some ways that you, as a bike rider, stay out of harm’s way.

Vehicle blind spots blot out regions of the road much larger than most people realise. These are areas that the driver cannot see by using a mirror and in some cases, looking directly.

There are certain design elements of a vehicle’s design which impact the size of blind spots such as the windscreen frames (known as A-pillar or B-pillar), windows and headrests.

A 2011 RACV study found “in some vehicles tested, a pedestrian or cyclist as close as nine metres away and a vehicle 20 metres away couldn’t be seen by the driver because the design of the vehicle created a side blind spot.”

Blind spots can be eliminated by the driver conducting a simple head-check before turning or changing lanes.

Slowing appropriately while checking all mirrors carefully also reduces the possibility of a blind spot obscuring a other vulnerable road users such as people riding bikes, pedestrians and even motorbikes.

There are regions of the road around trucks and large vehicles that the driver cannot see by looking directly or using a mirror.

Large vehicles, such as trucks, tourist coaches and buses, are a challenge for people who ride bikes because they take up so much room on the road.

Specifically, large vehicles occupy the space that bike riders are generally accustomed to having available to pass on the left-hand side when there isn’t a bike lane. However, when sharing the road with larger vehicles, the left side is a highly risky place to be.

The drivers of heavy vehicles are professionals and are adept at piloting their huge transporters in heavy traffic and through tight intersections. They are also hyper-aware of their length and blind spots.

However, for all their driving prowess, they simply cannot see what their mirrors don’t show them.

The major blind spots for a large vehicle are directly behind and to the side.

the right-hand blind spot is dangerous when overtaking: the rider must be aware that they might not be seen if the large vehicle pulls out to the right.
don’t move into a space in front of a truck—even if it’s a bike box—because the blind spot under the windscreen often stretches more than two metres ahead, which is enough to hide you.
the left-hand blind spot is the greatest risk to the bike riders. When a large vehicle begins to turn, the ample alley down the inside closes up where the trailing wheels of a longer vehicle cut in tight to the curb. Side mirrors also become less effective.

With blind spots as large as they are, it’s important that bike riders assume they haven’t been seen—even if they are technically in the right—and stay well back to allow the large vehicle to make its turn.

Many freight and construction companies have recognised the risks of sharing the road with bikes and are making improvements to their fleets’ large-vehicle mirrors, vision aids and side under-run protection rails.

However, people who ride bikes need to be aware of the extent of the blind spots of these vehicles and ride defensively.

BIKE RIDERS

Assume that drivers haven’t seen you.
Do not pull up on the left side of a large vehicle.
If the truck comes alongside you, resist the urge to shrink into the gutter because that actually makes you less visible.
Do not overtake a turning large vehicle.
If a large vehicle turns in front of you, take evasive action by escaping onto the footpath.

DRIVERS

Turn your head to check blind spots before turning and merging.
Move your head to see around window frames when scanning on approach to an intersection.
Make turns slowly, being ready to stop if necessary, while making multiple, careful checks of the side mirrors.

What are blind spots?

A blind spot is an area you can’t see in your mirrors or areas hidden by parts of your vehicles structure. Missing these areas can lead to collisions.

A safe driver should be able to understand the concept of a blind spot and know how to avoid them, even if they are learning to drive. When you’re moving off fast, it may be difficult to know at all times you are clear and safe, and some areas around your vehicle will need extra attention. Some quick driving tips can ensure a safer journey and may even save your life.

Blindspots are generally caused by the vehicles structure as it doesn’t allow the driver clear vision to observe certain areas. Majority of the time, the vehicles pillars are the main areas that cause blindspots. However, this may also depend on the type of vehicle being driven. The pillars are upright supports at the front sides and rear, that carry the weight of the roof and support the body structure (see example below).

There are various ways to to check and minimise blind spots while driving a vehicle;

Turning your head briefly (chin to shoulder) to check the area behind your vehicle
Using larger mirrors
Using blindspot mirrors
Checking mirrors frequently (every 8 to 10 seconds)

Here are the most common situations that require you to check blind spots:

Before you pull out from the kerb
Before you park or leave a park
Before and as you reverse
Before and during a three-point turn or U-Turn
Before merging with other traffic
Before Changing lanes (including when you pass or overtake another vehicle).
Before you turn, but only if there’s a chance that another vehicle could come up alongside you
When backing out of a driveway. Remember to check the driveway for obstructions and make sure no children or pets can get behind the vehicle before you get into the vehicle.

Some experts may argue that blind spots are a thing of the past and that any modern built vehicle should allow drivers to adjust mirrors in such a way as to avoid this phenomenon. Also, being informed about blind spots and knowing how to prevent them is a vital driving skill. Don’t overlook this important factor when practicing or attempting your driving test.