What is the term for areas not visible in your vehicle's rear and side view mirrors?

The term for areas not visible in your vehicle's rear and side view mirrors is known as a blind spot. These blind spots are crucial to understand for safe driving because they are the regions around your vehicle where other vehicles or objects can be present, yet remain unseen from the driver's perspective.

Blind spots exist for all vehicles, but their size and position can vary based on the vehicle's make and model. When changing lanes or merging, it is essential to check these areas by turning your head to visually confirm that no other vehicles are occupying that space.

Recognizing and adjusting for blind spots is a key aspect of defensive driving, and it helps prevent accidents that may occur if a driver assumes the path is clear without checking these critical areas. Other terminology, such as field of vision, dead angle, or obstacle zone, does not specifically refer to these unseen areas and can lead to confusion in understanding vehicle safety and awareness on the road.