Driving guide

Blind Spots: Where They Are and How to Check Them

Even a perfectly adjusted mirror system leaves blind spots — areas alongside the car where another vehicle can hide from view. The fix is a combination of better mirror setup and a quick head turn before every lane change.

Set your mirrors wider than you think

Most drivers point their side mirrors so they can see the side of their own car. Adjust the mirrors outward until you can just barely see the side of your car when you lean toward it. This eliminates most of the side blind spot by extending the mirror coverage outward.

The head turn

Before every lane change, signal, check the rear view mirror, check the side mirror, then turn your head briefly toward the lane you are entering. The head turn catches anything that was hidden in the blind spot. Skipping the head turn is the single most common cause of side-swipe crashes.

Truck blind spots

Trucks have much larger blind spots than cars. The 'no-zones' include directly in front, directly behind, the entire right side from cab to trailer, and a smaller region on the left side. If you cannot see the truck driver's face in their side mirror, they cannot see you.