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?!

I ve tried telling her as has my brother but she won’t listen 🤷‍♀️

Husband is newly qualified driving instructor. Yes you do need to check your blind spot whenever moving away or changing lanes!

I don't trust them like I trust my own eyes. Yeo they're useful tools when getting ready to make a move, but will never replace my eyes to check properly.

I think it’s bonkers that some driving instructors are actively teaching this.

Explains a lot though!

My instructor taught me NOT to drift

Is this along with "your lane is (only) your lane" and once you are in it you can ignore giving way to the right?

I’ve been driving over 30 years and my mirrors now are exactly the same as they were in my 1972 Datsun and the same as in my 1980s micra 🤷‍♀️. I don’t have a camera. Sure if I had a fancy car with technology like a Tesla then maybe it’s not necessary but i think the majority of cars don’t have such technology.

Everyone (physically able) should have to ride a bike before getting a car licence.

I had an accident in my early twenties when I pulled off without looking over my shoulder and hit a passing car. Totally my fault and I’ve never ever not checked over my shoulder again. Lesson learnt. Blind spots are there

Yep this
modern cars have better mirrors that minimise blind spots, but also the width of the door pillars now is much wider so there’s little to no benefit trying to look over your shoulder.

also, it’s now understood that it’s worse to look behind while driving as it actually increases the risk due to swerving or drifting.

so it’s a pretty dated thing now tbh

I think I will buy Dd these to be honest . Might help a vit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frameless-Rotatable-Waterproof-Adjustable-Universal/dp/B0F375VL26/ref=asc_df_B0F375VL26?mcid=53634b9c881e3f6dab9a8bcc045b83cc&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=747870788360&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17969019859257181459&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9209800&hvtargid=pla-2419875330683&psc=1&hvocijid=17969019859257181459-B0F375VL26-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

You aren’t wrong. You should be checking your mirrors constantly such that you always have a full picture of what is around you at any one time. Add a quick blind spot check just in case and you have the best of both worlds. I do wonder how many of the people on here spouting they always check their blinds spot also maintain ongoing awareness of what is around them. I bet a significant majority have little idea what is around them until it comes time for the manoeuver at which point they start their checks. That’s a dangerous way to drive also.

It's bith, but now you know better. Do you do better?

I was told this over 20 years ago and not just from one instructor either, I dont think its a modern thing.

Not sure I understand?

But it’s in the Highway Code!

I think it’s mad that some instructors are teaching one thing and others teaching the opposite.

Someone up thread said some professions disagree - but this is not the sort of profession that can have opinions l!!! You teach a set of standards aligned with a code. You need consistency and the test should then be built on this.

Every single time, yes. When I was a learner I nearly pulled into a car who was in my blind spot and it shocked me so much I always looked over my shoulder. I just can't see why not - it takes a second and means you know for sure that the lane is clear.

As a cyclist (not on the motorway obv!) I am very vigilant about checking my blind spot. See also : opening car doors!

Each and every time.

Passed a decade ago.

Also - ALWAYS use indicators. Cannot understand people who wait to see if they need to indicate - just bloody do it!

The number of times I'm approaching roundabouts etc and I have to stop when it wouldn't have been necessary if the lazy arse to the right could be bothered to lift their finger. This laziness slows down everyone and the flow of traffic, not to mention is a danger to pedestrians you may not have noticed. I'll never understand why some people are such selfish and unaware drivers.

I do wonder if they're the same people who can't drive shopping trolleys or stand talking in shop doorways or the top of the escalators.

My car (Seat Leon) flashes orange on the inside of my doors when there’s anything on either side, even bushes if I’m a bit close. I still check but not as rigorously as in my last car

Is called blind spot because you can not see it in any of the mirrors nor in your peripheral vision. The position of the other car should be it's front just at the half of your own car or something similar.
Yes, religiously. I passed my test many moons ago but still have the instructor's in mind "MMS-mirror mirror shoulder" never change lanes or pull out without these 3 checks that take a split second each

🙋🏼‍♀️ every time. And a very few times I’ve been genuinely astonished to see a car there, I 💯 would have missed it if I hadn’t checked my blind spot

And how about not indicating until you know it’s safe to pull out? 😬😣

I think they mean lane hoggers. People who pick a lane. Drive slow or just don’t adapt to what’s going on around them