Teacher’s Corner
Checking your
blind spots
by
A
s a driving instructor, I come
across various students of
all ages and backgrounds.
Strangely enough, in some instances
it’s a new immigrant with many years
of driving experience from another
continent rather than a young student
that have a hard time adjusting to
Canada’s rules of the road. They
understand the general rule of driving,
but years of bad habits and lax driving
styles don’t mesh well with what you
need to be doing in order to pass your
provincial driving examination.
Recently, I’ve taught some of these
older immigrant students and one thing
that needed more understanding was
the checking of the blind spot. So for
this first lesson, let’s go through what
a blind spot is.
Always being observant of what’s
around you by checking your side
mirrors, rear view mirror and your blind
spot are crucial for your test and for
everyday safe driving. A blind spot
is simply an area around the vehicle
that cannot be directly observed by
Sam Adewale
the driver. It cannot be detected via
the side mirrors, rear view mirror, or
looking forward.
To seek out this blind spot, all that
you need to do is turn your head to
the direction you wish to check for a
brief moment over your shoulder. Don’t
look back, just look to the side—that
is your blind spot. You should still be
continuously scanning the road ahead,
while constantly moving your eyes at
what’s ahead of you, as well as checking
your side mirrors every five seconds or
so. It’s all about being aware at all times.
According to the Ministry of
Transportation, you shouldn’t put
anything in your windows that will block
your view. Windows shouldn’t be coated
with any materials that would keep you
from seeing any direction.
Once all your views are clear, you
should signal towards the direction you
want to go and check that blind spot
before you enter the lane. When the
coast is clear, steer gently into the
new lane, maintaining the same speed
or gently increase it.
Many new vehicles have what they’re
calling a Blind Spot Monitor that
indicates to you with a solid or flashing
light that a vehicle is in your blind spot.
This is one of the best safety aids to
have, but you shouldn’t solely rely on
technology. I would still want to know
that information, keep checking my side
mirrors and glance for a moment at my
blind spot to make sure that your lane
choice is free to enter.
A final tip I can leave you with would
be to stay clear of other vehicles’ blind
spots. There’s nothing more risky than
hanging out in another car’s blind spot
for a long period of time.
Checking your blind spot is vital to
passing your driving test, as well as
driving safely on a regular basis. Make
sure you understand this concept and
best of luck with your future road
test. TDM
thedriver.ca
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