Based on estimates by the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 585,602 car accidents in Texas in 2021. Some are blind spot accidents, of which 800,000 occur yearly nationwide.
What is a blind spot?
An area around your car that you can’t easily see just by using your eyes or car mirrors is a blind spot. Motor vehicle accidents can occur when a driver collides with another vehicle, person or item in a blind spot.
Danger areas
Blind spots can depend on your height and the vehicle you’re driving. However, the area directly beside your car on both sides is a blind spot. Your side view mirrors provide a wide field of view, but this sometimes causes items close to the car and in a certain area not to appear in the mirrors.
The vertical pillar that supports the windshield is also a common blind spot. The vertical pillar blocks your view of the road directly in front of and slightly to the side of your vehicle.
When is a blind spot accident likely to occur?
You’re most likely to have a blind spot accident while changing lanes. The chance of this increases when you’re at an intersection or on a high-speed roadway. You can decrease the likelihood of a blind spot accident by checking your blind spot before changing lanes.
You can also use your peripheral vision while turning your head to double-check that your blind spot is empty. Slightly turn your head to the right or left and look over your shoulder. It might also help to slightly lean to the left or right, depending on which side you’re trying to see. This gives you a better view of the blind spots around your vehicle.