The A-pillar is the front roof pillar next to the windshield. It adds strength and safety, but can create significant blind spots at intersections. With the right technique you can reveal what the A‑pillar hides and reduce the risk of collisions.
Where does the problem occur?
As you approach an intersection or roundabout, the A‑pillar may hide:
- Pedestrians on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk
- A cyclist approaching at speed
- A car or motorcycle in the side road
The risk increases with skewed intersections, tight corners, tall A‑pillars and wide mirror housings. Read more about general vision limitations in Humans in traffic.
Techniques to reveal the blind spot
Use a deliberate sequence to move your head and upper body so the A‑pillar doesn’t cover what matters.
- Position the car correctly at the stop line or give‑way line
- Shift your upper body/head 10–20 cm sideways to see around the pillar
- Scan again after 1–2 seconds to catch moving objects
- Look far ahead and assess movement, not just points
See also The 5 see rules.
Practical scenarios
| Situation | Risk | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Crosswalk right after a corner | Pedestrian hidden by A‑pillar | Move head, roll forward slowly, stop before the crosswalk |
| Cyclist in bike lane from the left | High speed, low sound | Two looks through the pillar gap, let pass |
| Motorcycle in a side road | Narrow silhouette, low conspicuity | Double scan, wait until clear |
| Roundabout with central island | Pillar + mirror housing hides lane | Brief “rocking” with head and body before entering |
For interaction in intersections, see Right‑of‑way and roundabouts. For pedestrians, see Crosswalks and right‑of‑way.
Checklist before you cross
- Sightlines clear from both sides of the A‑pillar
- Confirmed clear for pedestrians and cyclists
- Low speed and ready foot on the brake
- Eyes far ahead in the direction of travel before you roll out