Watch for your blind spots

Rear-view mirrors cannot cover all areas around a vehicle, which means that blind spots exist that prevent drivers from seeing other road users. The taller and longer the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots.

What is a blind spot?

• A blind spot is an area of the road outside the driver’s field of vision that cannot be seen in the rearview mirrors or through the windows.

• Every vehicle has blind spots. In general, the taller and longer the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots.

Where are blind spots located?

Blind spots are all around vehicles, but their size and location vary according to the type of vehicle. The main blind spots are located in front, at the rear and on the sides of the vehicle.

Check your blind spots before:

• changing lanes

• merging with traffic (in particular when entering a fast lane)

• turning at an intersection

• backing up

• leaving a parking space

• opening your door

How to make sure no one is in any of your blind spots

• Before leaving, check your rear-view and side mirrors and adjust them if need be to reduce the size of your blind spots.

• Before changing lanes or turning right or left, quickly turn your head in the direction you want to go in order make sure the lane is free.

Safety tips

• Make sure your rear-view and side mirrors are clear, in good condition and properly adjusted.

• Be mindful of people around your vehicle, especially at urban intersections.

• Watch and anticipate the movements of other road users.

• Do not assume that others can predict your manoeuvres.

• Use your turn signal lights to indicate your intention to turn, change lanes or park.

• Be careful when turning at an intersection.

• Choose parking spaces that you can back into, in order to ensure good visibility when you leave the parking space.

Around heavy vehicles

Be especially careful when driving near heavy vehicles. Their blind spots are much bigger than those of a car.

For your safety:

• Avoid placing yourself in a heavy vehicle’s blind spots.

• Don’t cut off a heavy vehicle. Not only will the heavy vehicle not have enough space to brake in time, but you also risk finding yourself in one of its blind spots.

• Never pass a heavy vehicle on the right at an intersection: the heavy vehicle may first veer into the left lane to have more space to turn right.

• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the heavy vehicle in front of you: if you follow too closely, the driver won’t be able to see you.

• Pay attention to the turn signal lights of heavy vehicles at intersections.

(Source: www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca)