Managing Your Car’s Blind Spots
Blind spots are defined as the areas that cannot be seen by a car’s driver unless he exits the car or turns his head. Every vehicle has them and they’re different for each model. Unfortunately, car blind spots can lead to accidents both on the road and at home. For example, an overly-confident driver may not see a car that occupies the lane next to him. If he changes lanes, he may cause a collision.
On the other hand, there have been hundreds of fatalities due to drivers accidentally backing up over people in their driveways. While it’s a horrible thought, many of the victims are small children. Today, I’ll explain how car blind spots change based upon the vehicle. Then, I’ll describe preventative measures that can be taken to compensate.
Different Cars, Different Blind Spots
Bigger cars have bigger blind spots in the rear. And vehicles that are raised have larger blind spots than those which are not raised. For example, a Toyota Corolla is a relatively small sedan and normally sits close to the ground. As a result, a driver with an average height may only have a 10-foot blind spot behind the car. By contrast, a Ford Exhibition is large and usually sits higher. In that case, a driver’s blind spot may be nearly 15 feet.
Mirrors And Video Systems
Fortunately, you can manage most of your car’s blind spots by using your rear view mirrors and an onboard video system. Many larger vehicles are now equipped with cameras that allow drivers to see real-time video of the space in back of the vehicle. Of course, if you’re buying a used car or driving an older model, it’s unlikely these cameras will be installed. But, you can still use your rear view mirrors to help reduce your blind spots and expand your field of vision.
Safety First
Accidents and collisions will continue to happen, of course. But, drivers should always be aware of people and other vehicles that may occupy areas in back of their cars. Plus, because sales of SUVs have been strong over the past decade, many drivers are operating large vehicles with huge blind spots. And a lot of the older models aren’t equipped with video systems. The driver must either use her rear view mirrors effectively or she runs the risk of hurting someone.
At home, people who are driving large sedans and SUVs should physically check to make sure there are no children or objects behind their vehicles. Taking that simple safety precaution could potentially save hundreds of lives.
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