Blind spots can be one of the most annoying parts of driving a car. Blind spots are those areas around any vehicle that aren’t visible in the driver’s direct field of vision. Driving safely means being able to see everything and navigating around traffic. However, if you can’t see something, you can’t account for it in your decisions.
Blind spots affect how you make driving decisions because you need to account for an element of human error and chance. Here’s how you can bump up your driving skills by checking your blind spots like a professional.
Adjust the Mirrors Properly
The best way to minimize blind spots is to use mirrors properly. A proper driver’s education includes calibrating a car’s mirrors. First, adjust your seat to the desired settings. Keep your head still as you flick only your eyes up to the rear mirror. If a direct view of the back is not visible, adjust it until it is.
After this, you can adjust the driver’s side mirror by sitting in your normal driving position and using only your eyes to check if you’re getting proper coverage of the side. Eliminate the view of your car until you can barely see it. Do the same with the right side and voila! You’ve done a perfect job with the car mirrors.
Run a Quick Check Every Time You Drive
Even when adjusting the mirrors perfectly, there’s bound to be some blind spots in your car. You can test out where they are by tracking the progress of a vehicle on the road. Observe the trajectory of the vehicle from your rearview to the side mirror as it passes by you.
When you do this, you’ll realize what points you’re unable to see when driving. Just make sure you responsibly perform this test.
Be Conscious of Your Vehicle’s Size
Your vehicle’s size also impacts your blind spots. If you’re driving a four-wheeler, your blind spots will be more significant, and you need to be a more cautious driver. However, a smaller car could lack the long view that a more substantial car’s mirrors could give you.
Depending on our vehicle, you should be careful about blind spots when reversing, parallel parking, merging with traffic, and changing lanes.
Exercise Caution on Confusing Roads
Sharp and winding roads can also create blind spots for you. When driving in a wilder area or hills and mountains, you should always drive as if there’s another car coming straight at you from every sharp turn.
This kind of driving is known as defensive driving. Sign up for your DPS-Authorized road test or online defensive driving classes and become an expert at navigating blind spots in no time! At Champions Driving School in Conroe, Houston, Cypress, and The Woodlands, TX, we ensure that our online driver’s education is informative and reliable!
