Ask any insurance company what the most common automobile driving claim is? Ask them what the ‘at fault party’ said was their excuse; they will tell you they said “I just didn’t see them.” Indeed and this is why they are called accidents, if they did it on purpose then it would not have been an accident. Your personal car has blind spots and you should be aware of them. So do all delivery vehicles. Manufacturers always talk about visibility for the driver in the ads for delivery vehicles, they know that nearly every vehicle they sell will be involved in a fender bender, side swipe or hit a post in a fast food drive thru. It will happen, but it does not have too. One of the most common blind spots of a delivery vehicle is directly behind the truck or van. A small car or motorcycle can easily hide there. When driving deliveries look before backing up. You can park for a second, write down some paper work and someone can pull right up behind you and completely park their car where you cannot see it. You backup and you hear that gut wrenching crunch sound, you know the one? Do you? If don’t that is good, let’s keep it that way Watch for electric cars to; they make no sound and run very quiet, this can be extremely dangerous as you mind listens for sound, you have to train yourself to look each and every time. Electric cars are much smaller and there are an increasing number of them. A blind spot is actually any area behind or on either side of the driver that can’t be seen by the driver with the use of mirrors. If your side mirrors are properly adjusted, blind spots can almost be eliminated, but never completely. The right convex mirror that is standard on most van type deliver vehicles, but generally not on flatbed trucks. You will see many newer box trucks with them, but you will often see them ripped off, especially on city delivery trucks, as there is always a sign, corner of a building or something sticking out that will shear it off or crack the mirror. These convex rear mirrors reduce the rear side blind spot, but distorts distance; they also tend to rust out where they connect making them jiggle or tirn to a funny angle which does not allow for good vision. . If your truck or van is not equipped with this mirror, you must turn your head 180 degrees and look back or get out and check before you back up. If you want to eliminate all blind spots, go to: Pep Boys, Autozone, Trax Auto, Wal-Mart, Western Auto and pick up a rear convex mirror. Make sure the post is sturdy enough to use. You should also pick up a stick on convex mirror for you side mirrors on both sides. Put it on the far right top or lower corner of the mirror. These little things will save you from having to hear that crunch sound and say; “You know, I just didn’t see them!” Think about it. "Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
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