The roads might seem safer than ever, but lurking right in front of drivers’ noses is a problem so well-hidden it could literally make a whole car vanish—no magic trick required.
The A-Pillar Paradox: Safety or Blind Spot?
For decades, car manufacturers have been in a relentless competition to build safer vehicles. Reinforced cages, chunkier structural parts, and overall robust engineering all serve to better protect passengers in a collision. But, as is so often the case with progress, this leap in safety comes with its own unforeseen pitfall. Meet the A-pillar—the sturdy beam between the windshield and the side window, now so thick in modern cars that it can seriously hinder a driver’s view.
According to driving instructor Amer Adam from Autoklar Trafikskola, the A-pillar can hide far more than most people suspect. In fact, he says, “Pedestrians, cyclists, and even entire cars can sometimes disappear completely behind that broad beam.” This isn’t just an issue for city squares and roundabouts; it’s especially acute in situations with already limited visibility, like bends, intersections, or neighborhood streets.
Motorcyclists at the Greatest Risk
If you think this sounds bad for drivers, it’s an even bigger deal for motorcyclists. They’re slim, they’re often fast, and because of that, they are particularly susceptible to vanishing behind the A-pillar—sometimes even on wide roads. Driving schools that specialize in motorcycles hammer home this danger, reminding riders constantly that car drivers may not see them lurking in the automotive Bermuda Triangle: the blind spot caused by the A-pillar.
Learning to Outsmart the Blind Spot
Thankfully, there’s help at hand—at least for those still in the driving school trenches. Training programs actively tackle the challenge of the thick A-pillar. Amer Adam explains, “We teach students to move slightly forward or lean to the side so you can literally look around the beam.” During lessons, instructors sometimes place cones where they would be hidden by the A-pillar, letting learners experience firsthand how easily something critical can be missed.
Students quickly notice how much the view can vary between different training and exam cars. The shape of the windows and the thickness of the pillars are not universal. Adam adds, “Some ask if they can take the test in an ‘easier’ car, but that’s never a valid excuse. It just highlights how important it is to improve your observation techniques and risk awareness.”
- Always expect something—or someone—to be lurking in the blind spot.
- Adapt your speed, especially in areas with obstructed visibility.
- Don’t just use your mirrors—put your neck into it and move your head.
Innovation vs. Vigilance
The automotive industry has been aware of these risks for years. Saab, for example, tested a collapsible A-pillar a decade ago—designed to stay folded until a crash triggered it. Today, car makers are developing digital solutions that use cameras and screens to virtually make the pillar see-through. Sounds futuristic, but the essence stays the same: it comes down to the driver staying alert.
Amer Adam wishes manufacturers would strike a better balance between structural safety and visibility. He’s quick to acknowledge, though, that the A-pillar is crucial for a car’s crumple zones. So ultimately, the buck stops with the driver.
The conclusion is simple but not always easy: if you want to drive safely, you must actively compensate for the car’s limitations. That means never trusting that you have the full picture. Pay close attention to possible road users hiding in your blind spot. Adjust your speed, and don’t just rely on technology or your wing mirrors—use your own eyes and head for a complete scan.
So next time you’re behind the wheel, remember: the scariest dangers are often the ones you never see coming—literally.
Iveta is an aspiring journalist with a passion for storytelling and a deep love for coffee. Always curious and creative, she dreams of sharing stories that inspire, inform, and connect people around the world
