Do you check your blind spot befor changing lanes?

[Kitty 34]

always

 

[goofyernmost]

How do people not do this? It's called driving. Sadly there are people who don't check because they have almost caused some serious accidents for me.

It's not just called Driving...it's called defensive driving. Show me a person that has had multiple accidents even if legally none have been their fault, and I will show you a person that has either never heard of defensive driving or doesn't know what it is.

Insurance companies will charge a person higher rates if they are involved in many accidents even if not at fault. The reasoning is...well you may not be at fault but you sure don't do anything to stay out of harms way. Therefore, higher insurance rates because eventually you will be at fault and it will be expensive.

 

[onelilspark]

I see a LOT of people who don't have their side view mirrors adjusted correctly. If you are seeing what's directly behind you in them, you're doing it wrong. When adjusted properly an overtaking vehicle will become visible in your side view just as it disappears from your rear view. You can almost eliminate any blind spots this way.

We went through a driver training for work that told us to do this. Personally, I think it's a false sense of security. If you get used to not checking your blind spots and get into a rental car, don't adjust the mirrors, etc, you're setting yourself up. Not to mention it eliminates something like 90-something percent of your blind spot...not all of it. Which means that if you have a motorcycle riding there, you need to check. I adjusted my mirrors to the "correct" way, but I still always check. I'd rather be paranoid and safe than oblivious and sorry. Not to mention, with how much I drive for work, I move around a lot in the car. I slouch, I sit up straight, etc. Which affects the way I look in my mirrors, especially my rear-view. I can't imagine anyone who has the same posture the entire time they're in the car.

Sorry, I was feisty during that entire training session. I don't believe in giving people a false sense of security. Honestly...you can't get in the car with everyone and tell them that their mirrors are adjusted properly. I'd rather have someone check their blind spot and not rely on their mirrors.

 

[Squirlz]

We went through a driver training for work that told us to do this. Personally, I think it's a false sense of security. If you get used to not checking your blind spots and get into a rental car, don't adjust the mirrors, etc, you're setting yourself up. Not to mention it eliminates something like 90-something percent of your blind spot...not all of it. Which means that if you have a motorcycle riding there, you need to check. I adjusted my mirrors to the "correct" way, but I still always check. I'd rather be paranoid and safe than oblivious and sorry. Not to mention, with how much I drive for work, I move around a lot in the car. I slouch, I sit up straight, etc. Which affects the way I look in my mirrors, especially my rear-view. I can't imagine anyone who has the same posture the entire time they're in the car.

Sorry, I was feisty during that entire training session. I don't believe in giving people a false sense of security. Honestly...you can't get in the car with everyone and tell them that their mirrors are adjusted properly. I'd rather have someone check their blind spot and not rely on their mirrors.

I never said that you shouldn't check or that I never check. Just telling people how mirrors should be used properly. I still look!

I take driving very seriously and would never make a move without being certain that nothing would interfere. Our classic/custom car has but a tiny 3" mirror clipped to the drip rail. Practically useless. It has great visibility though so a quick head turn suffices.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I check my blind spot in my mirrors. I have those small round mirrors attached to the mirrors of my car. They show the "blind spot" areas on them. I love them, wouldn't want to be without them.

Ok potentially stupid question! Where did you put the little mirrors on your side mirrors? My husband put mine on the top left corner on the drivers side and the top right corner on the passenger side. I can't tell that they help at all so I wonder if he put them on the wrong place. Mine make other cars look really small so their location to my car is very misleading.

 

[C.Ann]

Always! Almost got nailed a number of years ago when a very small car zoomed up alongside of me (I was driving a large mini van).. Even though I looked, the car was so low to the ground I just couldn't see it..

My DD has an SUV (Chevy) and it has one of the worst blind spots ever!! I'm even more cautious on the rare occasions that I drive her vehicle.. Better safe than sorry!

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

I'm afraid to know the answer to this question - are there seriously people who don't?!

Jane

 

[MIGrandma]

Ok potentially stupid question! Where did you put the little mirrors on your side mirrors? My husband put mine on the top left corner on the drivers side and the top right corner on the passenger side. I can't tell that they help at all so I wonder if he put them on the wrong place. Mine make other cars look really small so their location to my car is very misleading.

Not a stupid question at all, but it does sound to me like he put them in the wrong places.

On my Blazer, the one on the driver's side mirror is placed on the bottom right corner of the mirror. The passenger side is on the bottom left corner of the mirror. I love them and wouldn't want another vehicle without them. See if your DH will move them for you, and then see if they work better.

 

[seymour274]

Yes I do allways...

 

[Golf4food]

I check my blind spot in my mirrors. I have those small round mirrors attached to the mirrors of my car. They show the "blind spot" areas on them. I love them, wouldn't want to be without them.

What she said.

The mirrors are dirt cheap and even a congressperson could install them.

 

[MouseJunkie]

I always check, but what really unnerves me is when someone on either side of me decides to change into the same lane at exactly the same time as me. I've had a couple near misses that way. Not fun!

 

[Serena]

I said no, just because. There is only one answer, and felt like being contrary.

 

[PUZZLDY5]

I always check my blind spots. I am trying to teach my son to drive and getting this through his head is nearly impossible.