So in 2012, we are encouraging better driving by highlighting one safe driving skill each month and giving drivers tips and ideas to improve that skill.
In this article, we'll talk about improving your sale driving skill of watching your blindspots.
Blindspots are the large sections surrounding your car that you can't see. Your car has several blindspots – perhaps more than you realize.
- The most common blindspots extend out behind your car in a triangle on each side of your car – two areas that you can't see with your rearview mirrors.
- Less common (but no less dangerous) blindspots are a small section in front of your car and around the front panels of your car. Your front bumper "hides" in this blindspot and although it's not very big, it can still result in small collisions, especially in parking lots.
So, how do you watch your blindspots?
For your front blindspots, be aware of where your bumpers are and how close you can get to something. (You can easily test this by leaning a rake up against the front passenger corner of your bumper and sitting in your car to see the distance). Since these collisions are usually slow-moving "rubs" that occur in parking lots, give yourself plenty of room and practice judging distances using that rake handle.
Your rear blindspots aren't really a problem when you're driving forward at a standard speed but as soon as you intend to move your car – either into another lane or to turn a corner – your blindspots become danger zones that are invisible simply by looking in your mirror.
Eliminate collisions against cars and objects that are in your blindspots by checking every time you plan to turn your wheel. When turning left, physically turn your head to the left and look over your left shoulder to see what's in your left blindspot (the area that extends from the rear of your car out toward the left in a triangle), and when turning right, physically turn your head to the right and look over your right shoulder to see what's in your right blindspot (the area that extends from the rear of your car out toward the right in a triangle).
If you have trouble remembering to do that, try these tricks:
- Ask someone in the car to remind you. Your children, in particular, will be delighted to participate in watching you like a hawk and helping you drive more safely.
- Put a piece of masking tape on your blinker arm. When you use your blinker to indicate a turn, the unusual texture won't distract you but will remind you to check your blindspot.
Blindspots are so easy to miss when you're driving but dangers can lurk there! Avoid collisions this March by watching your blindspots.
