Whether you’re navigating a busy highway or maneuvering through city traffic, safe driving demands constant awareness of your surroundings. One of the biggest challenges to maintaining this vigilance as a commercial driver is managing the blind spots around your vehicle. These areas, where smaller vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and objects can disappear from view, present significant risks for collisions.
However, with the right strategies, you can greatly reduce the risk of blind spot accidents, and help ensure the safety of all road users.
Mitigating the Risks
Know your blind spots. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's specific blind spots to anticipate potential hazards. Be especially cautious when switching to a different vehicle, as its blind spots may differ from what you're accustomed to.
Position your seat to enhance visibility. Adjust your seat to gain a broad view of the road and reduce blind spots. Proper seat positioning also helps to align your mirrors effectively.
Keep mirrors clean and properly adjusted. Position mirrors to cover as much of the surrounding area as possible. Convex mirrors offer a wider field of view, but be mindful that they can alter your perception of distance. Also, don't let dirt or grime block your view—clean your mirrors regularly for optimal visibility.
Check your mirrors frequently. Regular mirror checks are vital for maintaining awareness of vehicles in your blind spots. Physically lean forward or backward to expand your field of vision when checking your mirrors, especially during lane changes.
Use technology wisely. If your vehicle has features like blind spot detection, a rear-view camera or blind spot mirrors, make full use of them. For vehicles lacking these aids, consider installing them for extra visibility. However, never rely solely on technology to detect vehicles in your blind spots—always complement it with your own observations.
Maintain a safe following distance. Keep ample space between your vehicle and the one ahead, especially in heavy traffic or adverse weather. This practice provides more reaction time and reduces the likelihood of other vehicles cutting into your front blind spot.
Adjust your speed. If a vehicle lingers in your blind spot, consider gradually increasing your speed—if safe and legal to do so—to bring the vehicle into view through your side mirrors. Alternatively, slightly reduce your speed to let the vehicle pass and move out of your blind spot.
Signal your intentions early. Use turn signals well in advance of lane changes, merging or turning. This gives other drivers time to react and avoid your blind spots.
Perform shoulder checks. Even with mirrors and advanced technology, it’s essential to perform shoulder checks to confirm that no vehicles are in your blind spots before changing lanes or merging.
Avoid swinging wide when turning right. Swinging wide to the left could block another lane, and drivers behind you may mistakenly think you’re turning left and try to squeeze between your vehicle and the curb on the right. Monitor your right mirror closely for any vehicles attempting to pass that may be hidden in your blind spot.
Don’t linger in other drivers' blind spots. Given that nearly every vehicle has blind spots, adjust your position relative to surrounding traffic to minimize time spent in other drivers' blind spots whenever possible.
The Bottom Line
Blind spots are an inherent risk for any commercial vehicle driver. However, by knowing where your blind spots are and how to manage them effectively, you can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.
