Blind spots and dead angles

Blind spots are areas around the car where you cannot see other road users, neither with mirrors nor direct sight. Understanding where the blind spots are and how to compensate for them is crucial to avoid accidents with vulnerable road users .

Where are the blind spots?

Shoulder check is mandatory

You must perform a shoulder check before you:

• Change lanes
• Turn right or left
• Drive out from parking or the roadside
• Open the car door

A shoulder check takes only half a second but can prevent serious collisions. The mirrors alone do not cover the entire area around the car.

Blind spots on trucks and buses

Large vehicles have much larger blind spots than passenger cars. Entire right side of a truck can be invisible to the driver, especially in right turns. The rule is simple: If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

When cycling or walking beside large vehicles at intersections, keep a good distance and make yourself visible.

Technology that helps

Modern cars can have:

• Blind spot warning with lights in the mirror
• Rearview camera and parking sensors
• Lane change warning that alerts on involuntary lane changes

These systems are useful aids but never replace shoulder checks and active use of mirrors. Good use of mirrors and glance technique is part of defensive driving .

Practical tips for the theory test

Questions about blind spots often concern when to perform a shoulder check and what may be hidden in the blind spot. Remember that cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable because they are small and quiet.

Further reading

• Accidents with vulnerable road users
• Crosswalks and pedestrians
• Defensive driving
• Human errors