When driving, is usual that suddenly and without a previous notice, a car, cyclist or motorcyclist pass us, knowing that even a second before, we observed the mirrors and sweared that nobody was there; this phenomenon occurs thanks to the called blind spots in a car.
We don’t want to say that this driver appears magically from one moment to another or that was tele transported next to our car. On the other hand, it was there all the time, but in a more dangerous zone, exactly in the spot that is invisible for driver.
There are specific zones of the car where, even though you checked your mirrors, rearview mirrors or windshield, you can’t see if there’s any other vehicle or person behind them. These are blind spots.
In today’s ride, we will tell you specifically what they are and how to avoid them, whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist or driver. Pay attention to the following tips and take care of your life.
What are the blind spots in a car?
The blind spots in a car are all the zones of vehicles that are out of the vision of motorist, even if this correctly observes through rearview mirrors. All the cars have them, and as bigger the car, bigger the blind spots.
Why? Easy: blind spots are at the frames and borders of body, even though can be presented in pillars of windshield or headrest. For that, the bigger the cars, the bigger the blind spots.
When a user of the road is set in these zones, is impossible to see they from the interior of the car, neither using the mirror. From there that these are one of the greater causes of road accidents, such as impacts and run overs.
Why this occurs?
All this matter has a physical explanation, actually is a geometrical one.
The rearview mirrors provide a field of vision that is delimited by a straight line that comes from our eyes. For that, our vision field only extends for each of the mirror borders and extends backward. Everything out of that zone is invisible for us.
Blind spots in a car will be located depending on the class and car that you drive. It’s important to know where they are located to reduce the probability of a collision or run over.
Tips to avoid blind spots in a car
Even though blind spots are present in all cars and is not possible to remove them, there are different measures and tips to follow to reduce the risks. Here we will present you the most useful ones:
Adjust the mirrors
When driving, the lateral mirrors and rear view mirror are your best allies, besides, their use is part of basic rules for novice drivers. Even though is not possible to see at 360º through them, if well adjusted, can give you a better and greater vision field, reducing the blind spots. Use your mirrors and not only when you need to change your lane.
A small trick is to get close to rearview mirror; by doing it you will have a bit ampler vision field that the one you observe when maintaining your head in the seat.
Turn your head when merging
Even though mirrors will give you a good vision field every time you change your lane or merge into another road, the best will be to turn your head to make sure you don’t have another vehicle close in the sides. Do it quickly, but safely, in that way, you won’t lose what do you have at the front.
Stay ahead of other drivers
Learning to have a defensive driving will awake the instinct of being ahead to the movements of other drivers. You can deduce what their next movement will be, to where will change their lane and in which moment.
Likewise, you will learn to don’t trust so much, for example, if you saw a car, motorcycle or cyclist from far and suddenly you don’t see it, the first thing to think is that might be in one of your blind sports; in this way, you will wait a bit to have it in your view before changing your lane.
Use all the warnings
As motorists, you can also let others drivers know about your next move. For example, if you are going to turn or change your lane, the best will be to inform it with your flashing lights. It doesn’t matter if you don’t see to someone close, or maybe you are the only one in the road, maybe there’s someone in your blind spot.
Careful, pedestrian: is also your responsibility to avoid blind spots in car
Ok, maybe you don’t have a car, but a bike, motorcycle, electric scooter or like to walk by foot. In these cases, as pedestrian or any other class of motorists, you must also consider the precautions of not placing yourself at blind spots in a car.
A responsible move, depends of everyone. Let’s respect the mobility pyramid and the corresponding traffic regulations of each of us.
