Screen test

There’s no doubt that modern cars are structurally far superior to models widely available in years gone by. But one of the recent trends in structural safety has had a possible downside in terms of driver vision – the growth of the A pillar.

The A pillar is the engineering term for that area dividing the windscreen and the windows. In recent years the A pillars have become sturdier, in a bid to improve the structure of the car as a whole. Put simply they have had to get stronger.

In response, car designers have made them thicker. But that A pillar has created a blind spot which campaigners have pointed out goes undetected by thousands of drivers. This became apparent recently when Autoglass commissioned MIRA to look at the problem.

Some models have a lack of visibility of up to 4.5m.

Manufacturers are aware of the issue; they are responding by looking at alternative designs, such as transparent pillars. Paradoxically, older cars have less of a vision restriction. Apparently a popular older model has an A pillar blind spot of 1.2m – but its modern equivalent is double that.

But what should we as drivers do about the problem in the meantime?

Firstly be aware of the potential restriction in your ability to scan the road ahead. That restriction in vision from the A pillar could make all the difference at a junction. Needless to say, it is vital to check that nothing is hidden from view by the A pillar before making a manoeuvre. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are particularily easy to "lose" in the space behind a pillar because they are narrower. Make sure you look around the pillar, and do not just take a quick "snap-shot" look which could allow a cyclist, say, to be hidden from view.

As you approach a junction, while still driving along in a straight line, look further ahead. That we you will see things through the windscreen before they become "lost" behind the pillars.

Secondly, you can find out how big a problem your A pillar is by visiting the Autoglass website: autoglass.co.uk/a_spot/A-spot_methodology_and_vehicles_used.asp

Remember – good, all round vision is vital. The onus is on you, as the driver, to see what is there.