An A-pillar blind spot is a smaller area in a vehicle that's blocked from view by the design of the vehicle, specifically where the windscreen meets the side windows.
A-pillar blind spots are smaller than the main blind spot over the driver's right shoulder, but they can still be dangerous, especially in busy traffic. For example, a motorcyclist or small car could be hidden from view in an A-pillar blind spot, making it difficult to navigate a roundabout or junction.
Factors that can affect the size of an A-pillar blind spot include:
- The distance between the driver and the pillar
- The thickness of the pillar
- The angle of the pillar in both the vertical plane side view and the vertical plane front view
- The form of the pillar (straight or arc-form)
- The angle of the windshield
- The height of the driver above the dashboard
- The speed of the opposite car
Some newer vehicles have technology that can help eliminate A-pillar blind spots, such as Continental's Virtual A-Pillar. This technology uses an interior camera and OLED displays to track the driver's movements and display an image of the vehicle's exterior on the displays.