Checking your blind spot
Discussion
I had fun with this very topic when I learnt to drive. I was taught by my uncle (who was an instructor and had a Class I HGV and I believe is IAM), he had to tell me which examiner was which because some failed you for looking over your shoulder (learners tend to drift in this situation and you should be aware of what's there from regular mirror checks anyway) whilst some would fail you for not checking it. In the same test centre!!
I understand both arguments, I had a brown pants moment when I checked it at the last minute and there was something there that I hadn't spotted because I'd been lazy with my mirrors so I always do one now. My mind won't let me move until I've checked. But I do wish I was good enough with my mirrors to not have to, I've only been driving for four years though so IAM will come with time.
The one that really gets me is at the end of a slip road. You can't have been checking to see if something has entered your blind spot so there it is absolutely essential to check, yet this guy would have failed me for it! He was the guy I passed my test with in the end and he tried to get me to do a reverse round corner twice having forgotten I'd already done one!
I understand both arguments, I had a brown pants moment when I checked it at the last minute and there was something there that I hadn't spotted because I'd been lazy with my mirrors so I always do one now. My mind won't let me move until I've checked. But I do wish I was good enough with my mirrors to not have to, I've only been driving for four years though so IAM will come with time.
The one that really gets me is at the end of a slip road. You can't have been checking to see if something has entered your blind spot so there it is absolutely essential to check, yet this guy would have failed me for it! He was the guy I passed my test with in the end and he tried to get me to do a reverse round corner twice having forgotten I'd already done one!
I've diagonally looked back through the NS rear of a saloon when I've been in a RH lane with an arrow that's telling me to move over to the left. I wanted to make sure they're wasn't something on my NS rear before moving to the left.
But I passed my motorcycle test before my car test, if the road and traffic allows I also dodge manhole covers.
But I passed my motorcycle test before my car test, if the road and traffic allows I also dodge manhole covers.
Whilst training as an ADI; I found contradictory information on this with regard to what you should do on motorways. One book said not to as you travel around 300 feet at 70mph in the time it takes to look over your shoulder & other DSA publications advise that you should.
My ADI instructor trains all PDIs that they should & I agree!
My ADI instructor trains all PDIs that they should & I agree!
Blind spots are just that; chap who said he can check them using his mirrors is a danger to himself and others.MrB1obby said:
Haven't read the whole post.
As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
Assuming you are referring to the ‘defensive driving bloke’ described in the op; I suspect a little bit of ‘Chinese Whispers’. Guy in the pub said his wife’s sister’s best friend’s husband said……As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
7mike said:
MrB1obby said:
Haven't read the whole post.
As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
Assuming you are referring to the ‘defensive driving bloke’ described in the op; I suspect a little bit of ‘Chinese Whispers’. Guy in the pub said his wife’s sister’s best friend’s husband said……As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
MrB1obby said:
7mike said:
MrB1obby said:
Haven't read the whole post.
As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
Assuming you are referring to the ‘defensive driving bloke’ described in the op; I suspect a little bit of ‘Chinese Whispers’. Guy in the pub said his wife’s sister’s best friend’s husband said……As a biker, you look over your shoulders to check your blind spots. That guy is a complete tool.
still here, I can confirm the guy was genuine in his belief asto his source being a defensive driving instructor, I don't know if it was true where he got the information, it hasn't come up since but I'm glad to see the matter is still being discussed on here...(I'm still checking my blind spots by looking by the way 
)
Allways-Allways-ALLWAYS look over your shoulder! motor bikes are damn near invisible when they're behind you and with modern B & D pillars getting stupidly thick 
the ONLY way you can be sure there is nothing there is by physically turning to look 
some cars you can loose whole lorries in the blind spot (like the Fiat 500 I hired in May 
)
when did she take her lessons and test?
During my lessons before I took my test in 2008... My driving instructor used to give me a b
king for not turning my head FAR ENOUGH to check.
Neal
the ONLY way you can be sure there is nothing there is by physically turning to look some cars you can loose whole lorries in the blind spot (like the Fiat 500 I hired in May )OlberJ said:
They don't teach it these days either as basic tuition. I went apoplectic with my younger sister when she told me she never turns her head because it's too dangerous.
Really ? when did she take her lessons and test?During my lessons before I took my test in 2008... My driving instructor used to give me a b
king for not turning my head FAR ENOUGH to check.Neal
Edited by real4star on Monday 12th November 18:09
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