Any time you get behind the wheel, you certainly want to stay as safe as possible. Of course, you face a number of hazards on the road, ranging from other drivers to issues with your own vehicle. However, you can help yourself by remaining conscious of those hazards.
One issue is blind spots. Because vehicles have different designs, the number of blind spots you have to deal with could differ from other drivers. In most cases, drivers need to pay particular attention to the areas of the road that their mirrors may not catch.
How to check your blind spots
Before getting on the road, adjust your rearview and side mirrors so you have a good view of your surroundings. While you need to use these mirrors during your travel, you also need to take extra steps to check your blind spots, especially when changing lanes or merging.
As you change lanes, turn on your signal and check your mirrors. Then look over your shoulder in the direction you hope to move, checking to see if vehicles are occupying the space around you. This action may seem precarious because you take your eyes off the road; so hold the steering wheel steady and do not drive too closely to the vehicles in front of you.
With advancements in technology, your vehicle may come with a blind-spot detection feature. While such a feature can be useful, they are not perfect, so do not rely solely on them.
Remember, other drivers have blind spots
Though you may check your blind spots before merging, remember that other drivers have blind spots, too. They may not check theirs, and if you drive with your vehicle in another driver’s blind spot, he or she might not see your vehicle, and a collision could occur. Therefore, keep as much space around your vehicle as possible.