Blind spot (automobile)
From ArticleWorld
A blind spot, in the context of driving an automobile, is an area of the road that cannot be seen by the driver while looking forward, or through either the rear-view, or side mirrors.
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Blind spots
Blind spots, most commonly, describe the rear quarter areas, on both sides of the vehicle. Vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes may be in these blind spots. Other spots that might be called blind spots include the low areas behind and in front of the vehicle. These areas are often too low for the driver to be able to see well.
Elimination
There are several ways blind spots can be eliminated. Having overlapping side and rear-view mirrors, or checking by turning one's head briefly are the most common solutions. Detection of objects, in blind spots, may also be aided by such devices as video cameras or distance sensors, though these are not commonly used.
Vehicle types
Larger vehicles generally have larger blind spots. Regular sized passenger cars have a blind spot that could easilly hide a small animal. The blind spot of a larger SUV can easilly hide a small child. Some reports show more than fifty children per year are killed in accidents involving SUV’s that could not see them while backing up. The blind spots of a tractor trailor can contain entire vehicles.
Corrct mirror adjustment
- First, adjust the rear-view mirror to give a view directly to the rear. Position it so that it covers the view straight out the rear window. Don't tilt it to one side to assist with the view of traffic to either side of your car.
- Next, the driver should lean their head until it just barely touches the driver's side window. Then, adjust the left side mirror so that the side of the car can just be seen.
- Finally, the driver should lean their head to the right towards the middle of the car and adjust the right side mirror so that they can just see the right side of the car. The driver should not be able to see the side of the car with their head perfectly upright.