Which of the following statements about blind spots is true?
Answers
They are eliminated if you have one outside mirror on each side of the vehicle.
Large trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles.
Blind spots can be checked by looking in your rearview mirrors.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Large trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles.
Explanation:
Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that cannot be seen by the driver through the standard mirrors. Every vehicle has them, but their size and location can vary depending on the type of vehicle. Large trucks, such as semi-trucks and big rigs, have significantly larger blind spots compared to smaller passenger vehicles due to their size and shape.
For passenger vehicles, blind spots are typically located on either side of the car, slightly behind the driver, and can usually be minimized or eliminated with proper use of mirrors. However, for large trucks, blind spots are much larger and can extend over a wider area. These blind spots often include areas directly in front of the truck, to the side, and behind the truck. The blind spot in front of the truck can be particularly dangerous because it’s hard for the truck driver to see vehicles that are right in front or too close to the bumper.
In contrast to passenger vehicles, which have standard side mirrors and sometimes rearview cameras, trucks might be equipped with multiple mirrors, but the size of the truck itself means that drivers still face significant challenges in seeing other vehicles in these blind areas.
It’s important for drivers of smaller vehicles to understand the location of a truck’s blind spots to avoid driving in these areas for too long. The best practice for avoiding blind spots is to ensure you’re always visible in the truck driver’s side mirrors. If you can’t see the truck driver in their mirrors, it’s likely they can’t see you.
As for the other options:
- Blind spots are not eliminated by having one outside mirror on each side of the vehicle; additional mirrors or technologies like blind spot monitoring can help but don’t eliminate the issue entirely.
- Blind spots cannot be checked effectively by looking in your rearview mirrors alone, as rearview mirrors mainly cover the area directly behind the vehicle, not the sides. Checking over your shoulder or using side mirrors is essential.