Blind spots and motorcycles

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Blind spots and motorcyclists: anticipating their line, checking before every manoeuvre and avoiding the most common crash.

Cover, Blind spots and motorcycles

Lesson objectives

Understand the blind spots specific to motorcycles and their danger to vulnerable road users Master the essential checks before any change of direction or overtaking Adopt best practices to avoid collisions with motorcyclists

What is a blind spot?

Every vehicle has blind spots , zones beside or behind the vehicle that the driver cannot see in the mirrors, even if they are correctly adjusted. For motorcyclists, these zones represent a particular danger: a motorcycle is small and narrow , which makes it easy to "lose sight of" in these invisible spaces.

Blind spot of a car with motorcyclist

Blind spot

Zone around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in their mirrors, even if correctly adjusted. It exists at the front, on the sides and at the rear of the vehicle.

Why motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable

Motorcycles are small and narrow : they easily disappear in the blind spots of cars, trucks and buses. A driver who changes direction without checking properly may not see a motorcyclist traveling beside them. This is why motorcyclists are vulnerable road users who deserve special attention.

The code does not speak of a "blind spot", but it draws all the consequences from it. Changing lane or file is a maneuver within the meaning of article 12.4 : whoever executes it must give way to all other road users . And article 12.5 adds that they can only continue if they can do so without risk of accident , taking into account the position of other road users, their speed and the distance at which they are located. In other words: not having seen the motorcyclist is not an excuse, it is precisely the obligation to give way that requires you to look for them.

Essential checks

Before a lane change, an overtaking or a turn, checking is not a good practice: it is the condition for the legality of the maneuver. Article 16.4 requires the overtaker to ensure in particular that no driver following them has started an overtaking , which can only be verified in the mirrors and the blind spot. Article 19.4 requires anyone changing direction to give way to road users traveling on the other parts of the same public road , including cycle paths.

Check the mirrors , look at them carefully to see what is happening around your vehicle Turn your head , this is the key gesture to see the blind spots that mirrors do not cover Look over your shoulder , especially on the side where you are going to turn or overtake Check twice , a motorcyclist can arrive quickly; a second check confirms that the way is clear

Driver checking the blind spot before a change of direction

Tip for the exam: For every question about a change of direction or overtaking, ask yourself: "Have I checked the blind spots?" If the answer is no, the change of direction or overtaking is dangerous and prohibited . Exam questions often test this vigilance.

Blind spot detection systems

Modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with blind spot detection systems (Blind Spot Warning). When a vehicle or motorcyclist is in the blind spot, a warning light (LED) lights up in the exterior mirror.

Safety rule: when the blind spot warning light is on, do not change lane, wait for it to turn off. But above all, remember what the exam tests about these systems: they are not 100% reliable . They may fail to detect a narrow two-wheeler, a road user approaching very quickly, or be disrupted by rain and sensor dirt. A light that is off therefore never authorizes a maneuver: visual control, mirrors then look over your shoulder, remains mandatory. The system assists, it does not replace.

Blind Spot Warning

Assistance system that lights up a warning in the exterior mirror when a vehicle is in the blind spot. To remember for the exam: these detectors are not completely reliable , they may miss a narrow two-wheeler or a road user arriving quickly. Visual control by the driver remains mandatory, whether the light is on or not.

Prevention: best practices

Adjust mirrors correctly , poor adjustment increases blind spots Never assume , even if you have looked, a motorcyclist can arrive quickly Slow down before a change of direction , this gives you more time to check Use the turn signal , this warns motorcyclists of your intention to change direction Maintain a safe distance , the farther you are from a motorcyclist, the more time you have to react Be especially vigilant in town , motorcyclists are numerous there and blind spots are more critical

Situation: overtaking a motorcyclist

Before overtaking a motorcyclist: mirrors, then look over your left shoulder , then check that the way is clear over a sufficient distance (art. 16.4), turn signal, and return to the right as soon as possible without inconvenience (art. 16.6). A detail that matters: the specific lateral distance of 1 m / 1.50 m in article 40ter applies to the cyclist and the two-wheeled moped driver , not the motorcycle. For a motorcycle, it is article 16.5 that applies: move aside as much as necessary . No specific figure, but the same underlying requirement.

Example: lane change on motorway

You are driving on the motorway at 120 km/h in the right lane. You want to move to the left to overtake a truck. You check the left mirror: nothing. But you do not turn your head . You change lane. Suddenly, a motorcyclist who was driving in your blind spot hits you. This is a serious accident. You should have turned your head to check the blind spot before changing lane.

Situation: right turn in town

You approach an intersection and want to turn right. A motorcyclist or cyclist is driving on your right, in the blind spot. Two rules apply here: article 19.2, 2° requires you to keep as close as possible to the right edge of the road before turning, which precisely requires checking that no one is there, and article 19.4 requires you to give way to users driving on the other parts of the same public road , including the cycle path that your turn crosses. If the layout of the place or the dimensions of your vehicle force you to move to the left before turning right, article 19.2, 2° adds a condition: you must first make sure that no driver following you has started an overtaking manoeuvre .

Key gesture: Before turning right, turn your head to the right to check that no motorcyclist (or cyclist) is in that blind spot. It is a simple gesture but one that saves lives .

Summary of key points

Blind spot: area that mirrors do not cover; a two-wheeler disappears entirely there Changing lane or file is a manoeuvre (art. 12.4): give way to all users, and only proceed without risk of accident (art. 12.5) Before overtaking (art. 16.4): in particular check that no following driver has started an overtaking manoeuvre , so mirrors and blind spot When turning: keep close to the right edge before turning right (art. 19.2, 2°) and give way to users of other parts of the same road (art. 19.4) Blind spot detectors: a help, not a guarantee, they are not completely reliable and never dispense with visual inspection Lateral distance: the 1 m / 1.50 m of article 40ter target the cyclist and two-wheeled moped; for a motorcycle , it is article 16.5, move as much as necessary Motorcycles between lanes (art. 16.2bis): this is not an overtaking manoeuvre, but the motorcyclist cannot exceed 50 km/h nor exceed the speed of the lanes by more than 20 km/h , expect to see them emerge between the lanes

Congratulations!

First do the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practise on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, time for practice!

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