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?!

Yes I do. Have blindspot lights etc but always check mirrors and glance over when changing lanes.

Was it a Mini Cooper by any chance? Can’t talk for the newer models but the slightly older ones used to have such thick pillars!

Yes, it's a habit that was drummed into me when I was learning and one I'm not willing to try to break. Even though my car does checks for me as well, it's too important not to.

Every time. It has saved me from disaster many times over the years especially on the motorway.

I want a car which beeps at me if someone is in my blind spot now.

No, it was a Citroen Grand Picasso. So really long as well as also having really thick pillars.

I'm glad to be rid of it although I do miss the massive boot!

Me too!

Every time. It’s know as the ‘lifesaver look’ for a reason.

I'm lucky to have a blind spot warning light on my wing mirror. It is really helpful as I have arthritis in my neck.
When it lights up I often can't see a vehicle in either the wing mirror or the rear view mirror. If I didn't have it I would definitely be looking over my shoulder every time despite the pain

This happened to me too. I got the fright of my life and it taught me a lesson!

Yep. Someone I know has currently got a great big dent in the rear of his 25 plate extremely high tech car by relying solely on looking at his back camera when reversing. Smacked straight into a metal thing sticking out of a lamppost that was too high up to be in view of the camera but was visible if he’d checked out of his rear windscreen. Admitted it was a very expensive mistake for him. The tech is great for providing additional reassurance but definitely shouldn’t replace basic safety checks that you do yourself.

I think people need to keep in mind all this camera technology may lead to issues if it fails. We recently had a guy reverse into us in a petrol station as he said he didn't see us as his rear camera was not working. We were parked right behind him both stationary. he failed to use a mirror 🤦🏻‍♀️

i do on motorways

This. My car does all the checking and would also sound alarm if I pulled into a lane that had a car in it. It would also auto break in most circumstances to prevent a collision

I cannot look over my shoulder while driving. I don't understand how that's even safe! It feels so wrong and alien to me. I constantly use my mirrors and know whats around me. No accidents.

She shouldn’t be driving. It’s scary to think there are people out there like that.

This. On the motorway or fast dual carriageways, I check.my rear view and wing mirror a couple of times before making a manoeuvre. So I am aware of where all the vehicles around me are and what is coming up behind, has passed me etc

I look.over my shoulder sometimes if I am in very slow moving traffic to overtake but not usually , mostly I am just extra attentive to both rear and wing mirrors for a few seconds before moving out

Well this thread explains a lot. I have seen drivers on motorways almost collide as one or both didn’t check their blind spot. Also explains why some cars seem to weave all over the place if people can’t do a quick look without drifting.

I always, always check my blind spot. I use the mirrors then a quick glance over the shoulder. It's all done in a few fractions of a second. It was drummed into me by my driving instructor 40 years ago.

No, all mirrors and cameras only now. Extra checks on school run though..

Sounds like the OPs relative has found the thread and is repeating the nonsense

Yep I check my blind spot every time. Aside from anything else where I live is jam packed with irresponsible moped riders who totally ignore road rules and frequently pop up in places they have no business being, I’ve learned to be very vigilant at all times when I’m driving.

Yeah this thread is quite worrying actually! I can't believe there are so many people out there who think blind spots aren't a thing.

Having said I don't look over my shoulder, exactly I do sort of turn my head to the right and then look to the right slightly, sort of out of the side of my eyes before moving, so I suppose I sort do. I just don't think of it as looking over my shoulder exactly. Just a final visual check to the right before moving out

I always check my blindspot. It was also drummed into me when learning.
I've had a couple of near misses in recent years where people suddenly moved into my lane and I've had to take very rapid evasive action to avoid a smash.
Both times they seemed to just merrily continue without even noticing 🙄
This thread has made me realise what the hell they were thinking.
Check your blind spots, you dafties. Good lord.