A zone outside the vehicle that is hidden from the driver's field of vision. These areas are typically created by the vehicle's structural pillars, headrests, or cargo, and exist just over the driver's left or right shoulder. Failing to check these obscured zones before changing lanes is a leading cause of side-swipe collisions.
Heard on the job
Check your blind spot before you merge, that A-pillar hides whole motorcycles.
Insider tip
Always physically turn your head to check these areas rather than relying entirely on mirrors or electronic monitoring systems.