Be honest: do you check your blind spot?

[Blueeberry]

I check mine (by quickly looking over my shoulder) religiously anytime I’m changing lane, especially on the motorway. Was speaking with a family member today however who seemed to think that blind spots were some sort of urban myth and insisted that you can see everything by just looking in your mirrors…

When I kindly informed her that no, you can’t see everything in your mirrors she told me that my idea of checking over my shoulder is ridiculous and dangerous, there’s no way that she’d feel comfortable doing it whilst driving. AIBU to think WTF?!

Considering this isn’t what is taught in driving theory I really struggle to believe this. The test does differ slightly in other parts of the country but here in NI no blind spot checks = instant fail.

Interesting!

I was taught to check over my shoulder before moving off from being stationary, yes. But also taught not to when changing lanes, or when joining from a slip road. Yes, before moving out.

Happy to be corrected. I do check over my shoulder as I feel safer doing so!

No. I look in my mirrors, don’t change lane immediately and then check again, then move.
Anything hidden on the first look would appear on the second ad the blind spot is very small. If there was nothing on the first look it wouldn’t have whizzed up behind me quick enough to be hidden on the second look.
if I twist to look over my shoulder, I run the risk of swerving as my upper body movement would turn the wheel, which is more unsafe, IMO

Well yeah of course. It's an important part of driving on motorway. That and indicating.

Yes.
Started riding a moped at 16 and was taught to carry out a "lifesaver" from day one.
Kept it up when I moved from a moped/motorcycle and into a car and still do it today.

Struggle all you like, it’s true 🤷‍♀️

Checking your blind spot can save your life and the lives of countless others.

Your friend is a fanny.

If a car is sitting in your blind spot and maintaining the same speed as you (which they often do) then your technique would make 0 difference. You simply wouldn’t see it. You don’t need to twist your entire upper body to move your neck and glance your shoulder.

Yes you do. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/learning-to-drive/blind-spots-a-guide-for-drivers/

I really hope you take this onboard, improve your driving and keep the rest of us safe.

Knew someone would say that! I still look, I never trust technology

As well as being reminded to check my blind spots, I also remember being told to wear my hair in a ponytail as it would make it easier for the instructor to tell I was checking my mirrors properly!

Yep and and track speeds in the main mirror.

I still somehow once managed to somehow miss a bloomn full Artic which I knew was going to be there until the second look 😬🙈

Still 90% convinced it was a UFO tour bus in disguise 👽buzzing the earthlings for kicks😅

Some folk need educated before sitting behind a steering wheel 🤦‍♀️

I’m not sure why you’re getting defensive over basic driving safety? Not being taught adequately isn’t something to gloat over

What kind of car do you have please? I've been looking for one that will do this and so far have found Tesla's plus some Kias do.

And yes I always check my blind spot and always maintain situational awareness of what vehicles are around me.

Ah yes!! DD never wears a ponytail but purposefully wore one on her driving test so that the examiner would see it swish when checking her blind spot and mirrors 🤣

Yes. Why would anyone be so stupid not to?? I don’t want to crash/hurt anyone.

I’m not. I’m getting irritated with your attitude, and with being called a liar. Up to you how you take it, I’ve got better things to do! Enjoy your thread.

I always check my blind spot, have my hands at 10 to 2, put it in gear when parking on a hill, keep the speed limits and mirror, signal, manoeuvre every single time.

I am a very nervous driver, and this is probably the reason I follow the rules as I was taught, to the letter, but my nervousness probably means I am probably a pretty shit driver.

Relative genuinely believes that glancing over her shoulder and taking her eyes off the road for a millisecond is more unsafe than changing lane without checking her blind spot. Quite amazed that this woman is yet to crash!!

🤣👋

Yes I do

YANBU OP but it’s abundantly clear that many people on the roads are blissfully unaware, the number of times I’ve had to swerve or brake suddenly as someone has obliviously drifted out in front of me. My car shows me when someone is in the blind spot but I always check myself too, as should everyone.

No

You seem unaware of the existence of the blind spot when driving. You should look it up, it’s a pretty important concept.

As to OP’s question, yes, I always check. It gives you a real fright when there’s something there that wasn’t visible in your mirror - I’d never risk any manoeuvre without a quick look.