Back in #3 of the Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle series, I wrote about the need to be aware of where (and what is in) your own blind spots.

But for this post, I want to tell ya how important it is to be aware of where the blind spots are of the drivers around you. 

The idea for this post came to me today, when I was on my way back from the store.  I always keep an eye out for bikes when I’m driving, as just about every biker does, when they’re in the grocery-getter.  (We know we have to keep an eye out for each other when we’re off the bike too.)  So, I saw this guy coming up behind me.  I was driving in the left lane, getting ready to take the left onto my street, which was just up the road. 

I figured this biker (on a Softail) was going to pass me, but he never did.  He actually slowed to match my speed, while riding in my blind spot for about quarter mile.  I couldn’t see the guy, even when I turned my head.  To be sure he was still there, I actually leaned over in the car, and checked the passenger side mirror.  Yup, still there.  

“Wow, man!  If I was anyone else, I coulda killed you by now.”  I blurted out, as I slowed down to take the left (and lucky for him, not a right) onto my street.

The cagers (folks in cars/trucks) may not know you’re even there.  Always remember that.  Even I wouldn’t have known in this guy’s case, if I wasn’t always so alert for the single headlights of approaching motorcycles in my rear-view mirror. 

But you know where you are, and so, you can do something about it.

NEVER, EVER, ride in a car’s blind spot.

We’ve all driven, so we ought to know where the blind spots are.  Basically, if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. 

If you’re in someone’s blind spot, go ahead and hit the throttle, or brake slightly, and get out of it, before they switch lanes on you without even seeing that you’re there.