Blind Spot Check
Discussion
two stages to checking for when you switch lane:
1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
akirk said:
two stages to checking for when you switch lane:
1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
I do both, but it's easy to have a quick glance. I should get into the habit on single carriageways before overtaking as well, but I've never encountered anyone that gets there before me without being noticed.1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
When I learned to drive my instructor would go ape s
t if I looked over my should whilst pulling out from the side of the road or switching lanes...
He would ask me asking if I thought I was riding a motorcycle...
I could never work out his logic as it "felt" like the sensible thing to do...and to this day I still check.
These days though it feels like people are taught that if they put on their indicator at the same time of switching lanes on the motorway they automatically have priority over the traffic already based in that lane, if what I commonly see is anything to go by...
t if I looked over my should whilst pulling out from the side of the road or switching lanes...He would ask me asking if I thought I was riding a motorcycle...
I could never work out his logic as it "felt" like the sensible thing to do...and to this day I still check.
These days though it feels like people are taught that if they put on their indicator at the same time of switching lanes on the motorway they automatically have priority over the traffic already based in that lane, if what I commonly see is anything to go by...
akirk said:
two stages to checking for when you switch lane:
1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
I am definitely a Stage 1 guy and constantly update my perception of all the other cars.1 - you should have a continual visual picture of everything around you built up as you drive along and based on continual checking of the mirrors - so there should never be a surprise when you move across
2 - you should then check, e.g. over your shoulder - with a more focused check just before moving...
I suspect a lot of drivers don't do stage 1
I also try to plan all my lane changes way in advance of the actual need to move, including indicating extra early if necessary to give a dawdling car to my outside the option to speed up and pass, or slow down and let me out.
I also like to anticipate the need for cars to my left who may/may not be paying attention and will shortly need to either brake or overtake the car in front of them. l either change lanes or speed up a bit to make space for them.
Edited by Hol on Wednesday 22 November 09:12
Pretty much every time, even when it's not that busy.
Which is lucky for the biker fktard and their pillion a few weeks back on the A303. Just overtaken a car and was moving back to lane 1 when the biker suddenly came flying up the inside. Bearing in mind there were a few cars behind me, and as it was dark all I could see in my mirrors were various headlights he was bloody lucky I checked, otherwise they'd probably still be scraping them both off the tarmac.
Which is lucky for the biker f
ktard and their pillion a few weeks back on the A303. Just overtaken a car and was moving back to lane 1 when the biker suddenly came flying up the inside. Bearing in mind there were a few cars behind me, and as it was dark all I could see in my mirrors were various headlights he was bloody lucky I checked, otherwise they'd probably still be scraping them both off the tarmac.shotta287 said:
How many of you check blind spots when switching lanes? Number of times now I've been 'caught out' by a vehicle in my blind spot. So I look over my shoulder every time. Unless my mirrors aren't set properly..
When did you cover this? Your first, maybe second driving lesson...? Remember Highway Code, rules 133 and 159?It even has pretty pictures.
Ninja59 said:
All the time. My B pillar and C pillars are large and therefore can hide things well. Years of driving a 'vert with the roof up in bad weather gives you a lot of experience because of the large b pillar.
In town I find you need to do an A pillar check. If you're rolling slowly forward a pedestrian crossing the road ahead can stay hidden behind it.
Ed/L152 said:
In town I find you need to do an A pillar check. If you're rolling slowly forward a pedestrian crossing the road ahead can stay hidden behind it.
Very true, more so these days, although with the 640 it is fairly academic as the bonnet is quite long and therefore you already have a good metre of car already out of some junctions before you can see.Hence why quite a few cars around that area now have surround view with the cameras in the front bumper on either side.
I do wonder why the Volvo concept with the open pillar design never caught on, but I suspect it would weaken the A pillar.
Ninja59 said:
I do wonder why the Volvo concept with the open pillar design never caught on, but I suspect it would weaken the A pillar.
Interesting that you mention Volvo. I've just done a long trip with my mate in his Volvo XC60 which has a blind spot alert system built into it. If there is something moving in your blind spot an orange light flashes on the relevant door mirror fixing inside the car. https://youtu.be/2P_n7JCduok
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