Blind Spot: What the Driver Can't See

Benches and mirrors simulate a truck cab so students can discover its blind spots. They see for themselves where never to be on a bike or scooter.

How to play

1. Build a 'truck': two benches as the cab, a seated driver and two hand mirrors as side mirrors (4 min).
2. The driver looks only ahead and in the mirrors; classmates stand around and the driver says who they can see (6 min).
3. Chalk in the zones where nobody was visible: that's the blind spot (4 min).
4. Cyclists ride slowly beside the truck as it 'turns right' and find where they'd be hit (7 min).
5. Each group writes three tips for cyclists and pedestrians and shares them out loud (4 min).

Rules

• The truck never moves: the turn is shown with an arm signal and cones.
• Cyclists ride at walking speed.
• Everyone takes a turn in the driver's seat.
• Keep clear of the chalk zone during the demo.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with a visual impairment: grasp the concept through a tactile map and ride as a cyclist with a partner.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the driver holds up green or red cards to show whether they see someone.
• Wheelchair users: act as a pedestrian on the sidewalk and discover they can be hidden too.

Learning goals

• Identify a large vehicle's blind spots.
• Choose safe positions near vehicles on the road.
• Share road safety tips with others.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym benches: 2
• chalk: 6
• cones: 20
• hand mirrors: 2
• bicycles: 6
• helmets: 12

Teacher tip

The line students remember best is 'if you can't see the driver in their mirror, they can't see you.' Raising the driver's seat on a low, stable box makes the blind spot grow and the point clearer.

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