Blind spot monitoring is a new technical solution, along with the correct mirror adjustments made to help the reduction of blind spots while driving. To help you avoid collisions, understanding and being aware of your vehicle’s blind spots is important.
A large number of vehicle accidents, alongside a lot of close calls, were the result of an obstruction being in a blind spot. Which means the driver can’t see them because they were in an area near the vehicle that can’t be seen by the driver with their personal vision.
What is a Blind Spot?
So, when talking about blind spots in a vehicle we’re referring to certain points around your car that you can’t see. These spots will not show in your mirrors if a vehicle is next to you, or right behind you.
If another vehicle is in one of your blind spots, you can’t see them therefore you won’t know they’re there.
Meaning, you’ll think it’s safe to:
- Change Lanes
- Hit Your Brakes
- Come to a Quick Stop
- Turn Suddenly
Or a number of things that could possibly cause a collision if you have no sight, or knowledge a vehicle is in your blind spot.
Nearly 840,000 blind spot accidents occur each year in the United States resulting in 300 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
We believe that blind spot monitoring can help you avoid being involved in one of these collisions.
Finding Your Vehicle’s Blind Spots
Since every vehicle is made differently, that means the blind spot areas may vary. It’s important to monitor and eventually determine where your vehicle’s blind spots are located to best avoid collisions.
An easy way to check for your vehicle’s blind spots, is to have someone do a quick walk around for you. Sit in the driver’s seat while parked and have a friend, or family member walk in a slow circle around the vehicle.
It’s that easy! The spots you can no longer spot them in your side or rear mirrors, means they’re in a blind spot.
The largest blind spots located in vehicles are normally on both sides of the vehicle, near the back end.
Other obstructions in your vehicle may create blind spots, such as:
- Objects shielding the back window from being able to see out of the rearview mirror.
- Passengers in various seats creating new spots in your line of vision.
- Tinted windows that could make it hard to see correctly out of your vehicle.
There are many different areas a blind spot could be located, so make sure you’re not missing any possible areas where when driving, you may not see another vehicle near you.
Adjusting to Correct Blind Spots
There’s no way to fully get rid of blind spots, but making a few adjustments in your vehicle can make it easier to monitor them and avoid collisions. Following are a few steps you can follow to properly limit blind spot points:
1. Adjust the Driver’s Seat
Sit in the driver’s seat and adjust your vehicle to the same position where you drive your car. Set the seat and steering wheel correctly so you feel comfy and have easy access to your car’s brake pedal, gas pedal, or gear shift.
2. Set the Rear Mirror Correctly
Set the rearview mirror in the correct position, so that you’re fully able to look out your back windshield without having to turn your head. This makes sure that you won’t need to suddenly turn your head or body around to see out your rear windshield when driving.
3. Place the Driver’s Side Mirror
Move the driver’s outer side mirror so you can fully see the road behind you. Also with a small portion of the side of your car. That’s where you’ll best see blind spots.
4. Place the Passenger’s Side Mirror
Adjust the passenger’s side mirror so you can also see the road beside your car’s passenger side door.
5. Double Check
Check one last time to make sure your mirrors make it easy for you to see the road behind and on both sides of your vehicle.
Make sure to quickly check mirrors before driving each time. Especially after someone else might have driven it. Monitoring this lowers your risk of blind spot collisions.
Tips and Tricks to Avoid Collisions
Along with taking the time to correctly adjust your car’s side and rear mirrors, there are a few more things you can monitor to avoid blind spot collisions, such as:
1. Look for Other Cars While Driving
Check the rear view mirror briefly every 5 or so seconds. This will help you keep in the know of other vehicles around you.
2. Check Before You Merge
Before actively merging into another lane, or onto a highway, always check for any other cars near you. Always use your turning signals to let any cars around you know you’re moving into a new lane. Glance in all three mirrors more than once the whole time you’re merging. You never know if a car could be in one of your blind spots.
3. Look into Getting a Blind Spot Monitor
As technology advances, monitoring blind spots easily is now readily available. With blind spot monitors, you can avoid collisions with it’s sensors that detect any vehicles in your blind spots.
Blind Spot Detection Systems
So, what is the importance of a blind spot detection system? It can constantly monitor all blind spots and help you avoid collisions.
Research shows that new blind spot detection technology helped reduce:
- Lane-change crashes by 14%
- Lane-change crashes with injuries by 23%
- Claim rates for damage to other vehicles by 7%
- Claim rates for injuries to people in other vehicles by 8%
If you’re the driver of a vehicle and you want to start monitoring and addressing blind spot dangers, getting a blind spot detection system is a great idea. Helping lower the risk of accidents and helping you avoid collisions.
In the Event of a Collision
Even with preventative measures, blind-spot monitoring can help you avoid collisions, but not always. Sometimes reaction times aren’t quick enough. Maybe the other car wasn’t monitoring theirs well enough and you’ve found yourself in an accident. That’s where East End Auto Body Repair comes in!
We specialize in collision repair and getting you and your car back on the road. We offer unbeatable customer service in Huntington, West Virginia.
From frame repair to glass repair, we even offer interest-free financing. We do it all! And if you find your car damaged from a collision, we want to help. Contact us for a free estimate, or visit our website for more information.
