Blind spot
Blind spot turns up in 2 fields: railroad, automotive. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Blind spot in railroad
An area around a locomotive or car that the engineer cannot see from the cab windows or mirrors.
The physical zones around a train where the operating crew has no direct line of sight. Due to the massive long hood of a road switcher or the sheer length of a consist, these hidden areas can stretch for dozens of feet ahead of or behind the cab. Ground crews must stay out of these zones or maintain constant radio contact to ensure safe movement.
"Don't walk behind the trailing unit, you're in a blind spot and he's about to shove."
Blind spot in automotive
An area around a vehicle that the driver cannot observe directly or through their mirrors.
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.
"Check your blind spot before you merge, that A-pillar hides whole motorcycles."