Blind Spots | Steer Clear | State Farm® 

[MUSIC PLAYING] 

(Text)
Blind Spots

(Image)
Animated red car driving down a road. Image 
switches to show front view of car. Potential 
blind spots are highlighted on the car including, 
side mirrors, windshield posts, headrests, 
convertible tops, and passengers.

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
Many cars have blind spots that are part of the 
vehicle's overall design. Items that cause blind 
spots can include side mirrors, windshield posts, 
headrests, convertible tops, and passengers. 

(Image)
An aerial view of a road is shown. A blue car is driving 
in the right lane, and the red car is in the left lane. 
The red car has its left turn signal on as it passes the 
blue car. Then the red car turns its right turn signal 
on as it moves in front of the blue car in the right lane. 

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
On a highway, making yourself visible involves 
more than just using your turn signal. You need to make 
sure to position yourself to be seen by others so you can 
avoid being in another car's blind spot. 

(Image)
A semi appears on the road in front of the red car. A pink area
Illustrating the truck’s blind spots is highlighted. The red car turns
Its left turn signal on and passes the semi quickly. 

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
Be sure to leave extra space around larger vehicles. 
Trucks and buses have larger blind spots so make sure 
you pass these vehicles quickly and do not drive 
along their side for long. 

(Image)
Dashboard view of red car is seen. The car is pulling up 
behind the semi. At first you see the side mirrors on 
the semi, but as the car gets closer they disappear. 
 
(Speaker: Male Speaker)
If you can't see the side mirrors of a truck or bus, 
the truck driver cannot see your car. People pulling 
oversized loads or trailers often do not have proper 
mirrors and can't see vehicles either beside or behind 
them. Make sure to allow them extra time and space 
and take extra care when passing. 

(Image)
An aerial view of the road is shown again. 
A semi, a gray vehicle, and the red car are 
all traveling on the highway. The red car indicates 
with its left turn signal that is it merging into the left lane 
as a blue car comes up behind it in the red 
car’s blind spot.   
 
(Speaker: Male Speaker)
At higher speeds changes occur much quicker. 
A lane that was clear a second ago may now be 
occupied because Highway Traffic is fluid and 
empty spaces fill up fast. That's why knowing what's 
in your blind spots is vital to a driver's safety. 

(Image)
The red car approaches a blue car on the road. 
An illustrated image of a rearview mirror and side mirrors 
appear above the road. A blue highlighted triangle 
coming from the red car and back highlights the 
blind spots on the left side of the red car. 

(Text on Screen)
Head Check 
 
(Speaker: Male Speaker)
Besides checking your rear view and side mirrors, 
you also need to look over your shoulder to check 
the blind spot before changing lanes. 
This is called a head check. It's quick, only 
lasting one second. 

(Text on Screen)
One-One Thousand… 
 
(Image)
“Head check zone” – from the front of the 
red car to the left lane – is highlight in blue for 
a second, then red car merges into the left lane 
to pass a blue vehicle. Red car drives over the 
horizon.
 
(Speaker: Male Speaker)
To demonstrate how brief this look is, you 
could count 1/1,000 as you do the head check. 
At first, it may feel uncomfortable to have your
eyes off the road for just that second. And that's 
understandable. Drivers shouldn't take their eyes o
ff the road but this is an important second that 
could prevent a crash. 

(Image)
Another aerial view of the road is shown of a 
three-lane highway. Four cars, including the red 
car we’ve been following, are driving in a group, 
with the red car in the middle lane, one car to its right 
and two cars to its left. Red triangles indicating the
blind spots on both sides of the red car are shown.

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
Also remember there are blind spots on both
sides of the car. Know where the blind spots 
are before getting behind the wheel. These can 
vary by vehicle. 

(Image)
Red car is shown from the front again and the 
side mirrors on the car are highlighted.

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
When you drive a different vehicle, 
get to know that vehicle's unique blind spots before 
you drive off. 

(Image)
Red vehicle drives down road again with a truck
in front of it. A red triangle highlighting a blind spot in
front of the red vehicle is highlighted. 
Both cars drive off screen.

(Speaker: Male Speaker)
It's also important to remember that 
you can have a blind spot in front of your vehicle 
if your view is blocked by a truck up ahead.