What are blind spots?

Blind spots refer to those areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through standard mirrors or peripheral vision. These areas can present a significant risk while driving, particularly during maneuvers such as changing lanes or merging, where a vehicle may be hidden from view in those zones.

It's essential for drivers to be aware of their blind spots to ensure all surrounding traffic is visible and to help prevent collisions. Effective driving involves checking these blind spots visually by turning the head and looking over the shoulder before executing any movement that involves changing lanes or merging into traffic.

The other options do not accurately describe what blind spots are. Areas visible through mirrors are not blind spots; they are areas that the driver has visibility of, which helps in monitoring the surrounding traffic. Areas that can be seen using peripheral vision also do not qualify as blind spots since peripheral vision aids in detecting movement in areas adjacent to the central line of sight. Safe zones around the vehicle may refer to space needed to maneuver safely but do not define what blind spots are specifically.