How to Avoid Losing Cars in Your Blind Spot While Driving

Given the fact that I road test brand new cars each week for a living, I know a thing or two about being a careful driver on the road. I tend to know when and where to look to make sure I am completely aware of my surroundings when I am on the road. But then everyone thinks they are the world's greatest driver, right? Yes, even car reviewers.

So what is the dumbest thing any driver can do to endanger themselves or their car in today's crazy driving world? The dumbest thing you can do be it either in a crowded mall parking lot or cruising along an expressway at 65 miles per hour is to not check over your shoulder for any vehicles traveling in your blind spot.

Are you not sure if your vehicle has a blind spot? Well, if you don't know then you probably already have quite a few dents, scrapes and dings. The blind spot is the point along the rear ¾ of your vehicle where other cars can disappear from view if you just check your side mirrors.

In order the see these magically disappearing automobiles you must, of course, crank your head around to look behind you. This can be dangerous as it forces you to take your eyes off of the road ahead of you so that you can check out the road behind you. How is that really a safe driving maneuver? Well, it turns out it kind of isn't.

While luxury brands like Volvo, Acura and Audi predominantly offer electronic blind spot warning systems only as options, it is surprising that the technology isn't standard on more models. Come on luxury brands, 2011 Mazda6 buyers can order a blind spot warning system so you should just be embarrassed.

Having used the unfailingly simple blind spot warning system in a 2010 Acura MDX (which has a big blind spot), I can vouch for the fact that these systems really do work. On either side of the vehicle are two small cameras that monitor the blind spot range and when a car passes through it a little red light illuminates by the corresponding side mirror.

So depending on which lane you are merging into you will always have that red light in your field of view! See, I told you it was a simple concept and is one that I think would really help cut down on accidents on our roads. Who needs to look over your shoulder it's bad for your back!

Sources: Edmunds.com

Acura.com