Why is it important to check your blind spot?

A.J.

It's refreshing to know that there's a driving instructor out there that gives a damn. It sounds like you've got a really good teacher, absorb EVERYTHING she teaches you, and use it all the time. All the previous posters got it right on the head, so I won't repeat them.

Just remember this, the people that don't check their blind spots either:
1) cause near misses where they don't hit someone, but cause another motorist(s) to perform emergency maneuvers to avoid a collision
2) cause near misses where they don't hit someone, but cause another motorist(s) to strike something or someone or run off the road
3) or are involved in a collision themselves

Your instructor is trying to make sure you form a good habit behind the wheel, so that it's second nature to you and you won't have to think about it. Too many people drive as if they are the ONLY people on the road as it is. Remember, you're not alone on the road, and you must look for other road users to avoid conflicts.

barrbou214

checking your "blind-spot" keeps you from causing an accident which you will be at fault. whenever you change lanes in a multi lane situation
you activate your turn signal in the direction that you intend to travel, you look over your shoulders (use the mirror at first but don't rely on it before committing the maneuver) right side if you want to get to the right hand lane. on a left lane change engage the turn signal look through the mirror and pull yourself up a little in the seat to be able to see down your vehicle through the mirror to make sure the lane is clear. what the instructor is trying to teach you that you may at a time or another operate a vehicle that does not have a complete and clear view of what is around you, like driving a box van for example (think u-haul, service van, hearse), or some vehicles may not have all the mirrors that the newer ones do (right sides). this also done to make you keenly aware of your surroundings which is never a bad thing.
while performing any maneuvers such as this remember you are also going forward, so be aware of that so that you don't run into anyone.
driving a several 1000 pound vehicle is the ultimate in multitasking, that being said, it is a good idea to leave the cellphone down/off, the music on the radio at a level that you can hear if an emergency vehicle is approaching. hope you pass! remember this though. you can always turn around if you missed your turn.
good luck!
bf

chuckles951

It is called a blind spot as there is a small area that the rear view mirror does not cover. That spot can hide a vehicle. Thus, if you do not check your blind spot you may sideswipe another vehicle. An accident where YOU will be deemed at fault.

ja133

From experience, it is SO important to look at your blind spot. The rear view mirror will not tell you what's directly to your right and if you are on a 2 lane street or on the highway and not paying attention and just look at your rear view mirror before switching lanes, you will cause a huge accident. I almost got into one myself, so please learn from my experience.

Andrea J

If you don't check you blind spot before you change lanes, you can get into a serious accident. This is especially important when on a highway and traveling at 55 to 65 mph. You could get killed and/or kill others.

Fred C

A small vehicle, or a motorcycle, can be totally in your blind spot, the area in between what is covered by rear-view and wing mirrors. If you don't find a way to see it, you risk collision when making a lane change. Thousands of collisions occur because of this. I call them collisions, not accidents, because they are, for the most part, totally avoidable.

thebax2006

Sounds like you already ran someone off the road when changing lanes. It sure seems that you've got your driving instructor worried.

redhzkingswood

All totally correct, and Fred C is also correct in calling them collisions, not accidents.

George A

You'll be surprised what all can hide in a blind spot of a vehicle. The larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spots.

Take a semi pulling a 53 foot trailer (overall length from bumper-to-bumper is between 60-65 feet) for example- the blind spot on the right side of that rig is large enough to completely hide a 2 story house in. If that driver failed to check his blind spots before changing lanes- that could result in very serious consequences, even fatalities.

Now go back to the size of a common automobile, and motorcycles are common culprits of being in a blind spot & can be completely missed if you only check your mirrors before changing lanes.

mtwaites

It is important to check in your blindspot because of the fact that you shouldn't rely on the back mirrors, as sometimes those tell you a fair bit, but it is better to shoulder check then to run the risk of hitting something because you have just depended on the mirrors.

UCANTCME

A driver needs to know where their blind spots are in order to accurately check them. A driverâ€™s blind spot is usually at the sides and closer to the rear of the vehicle. These are the areas that you would not see when looking through your side mirrors.

Driverâ€™s need to check these spots in order to ensure there is nothing they may hit (vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist). Also, one should never drive in another personâ€™s blind spot - if that driver does not check their blind spot they may hit you when switching lanes.

Remember to keep a constant check on what is around you - itâ€™s suggested to check your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. Checking your blind spot when you are changing lanes will help you keep out of trouble. Keeping out of other driverâ€™s blind spots will help them not hit you!

the lock man

that a wya you dont hit somebody you didnt see

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