Many car accidents that occur on Illinois roads are avoidable. Others happen because of things beyond a driver’s control such as the design of their vehicle. Sadly, this is a major cause of blind spot accidents. These are the dangers of such collisions and how to avoid them.
Understanding blind spots
All vehicles have blind spots that can lead to motor vehicle accidents. Although many people immediately think of big rigs as having this issue, even smaller passenger cars have blind spots. However, they are much more common on large vehicles; SUVs and pickup trucks, in particular, are affected and are more likely to get into accidents due to blind spots.
Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that make it difficult or even impossible for the driver to see in those areas. This means that even when a driver checks their mirrors, they can’t see a vehicle or pedestrian behind them or to the side of their vehicle. If a pedestrian is struck due to this issue, it can have deadly results.
Avoiding blind spots
As a general rule, the larger the vehicle, the larger its blind spots. This highlights the importance of giving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front especially if you’re behind a truck or larger passenger vehicle. If you cannot see the driver in their mirror, it means that they can’t see you, which increases the risk of a blind spot accident.
To ensure that another vehicle behind you or to either side of your car is not in one of your blind spots, always look over your shoulder. Never rely solely on your mirrors as it might mean you miss a vehicle or pedestrian near your car.
Stay alert at all times while behind the wheel. Using defensive driving and taking advantage of your vehicle’s blind spot monitoring systems can help prevent potential accidents.