Blind zones - Look out behind you

You probably don't realize it, but there is a blind zone immediately behind the rear bumper of every vehicle. When backing up, even when you turn around and look, you can't see what's there--it could be a bike, a pet, or a child. Side and rear view mirrors don't help. Sadly, more than 100 children have died in the last year alone from being backed over, and many, many more have been injured.

These blind zones vary by vehicle and by driver height. To increase awareness and help shoppers select a vehicle with the best rearward visibility, Consumer Reports has been testing blind zones since 2003. The measurements are made for two heights:  5'8" and short 5'1" drivers. Those results are available online.

There is a huge range in blind zones; they range from two feet for a 5'8" driver in a Porsche Boxster (with the top up) to 69 feet for a short driver in a Jeep Commander when all three rows of seats are raised. Blind zone size is strongly dictated by styling; the trend toward high beltlines raises the bottom of the window sill, increasing the blind zone. Supposedly, smaller windows make occupants psychologically feel more secure, but the reduced visibility actually reduces safety.

There are steps you can take when buying a vehicle to reduce the blind zone behind the rear bumper. Beyond picking a model that inherently has a smaller blind zone, you can choose one with a rearview camera. In our tests, these cameras have proven very effective, often reducing the blind zone to zero. You do need to look at the screen before backing up, as well as being aware of the surroundings and situation (to make sure nothing is moving to behind the vehicle), but they provide a very useful tool.

Unfortunately, most vehicles offer a rearview camera only on high trim levels, or as part of a pricey options package. An expensive navigation system is also typically necessary, as it can provide the display screen for the camera. Consumers Union supports proposed legislation that would make blind-zone detection technology standard on vehicles. (You can support the legislation by signing an online petition.)

Other steps are more subtle... Buying a vehicle with a height-adjustable seat can allow a short driver to sit higher in the car, improving their view. The Commander's poor rear visibility is partly because the large, high-mounted third row seat back blocks most of the rear window, leaving only a small porthole. We measure vehicles with all of the seats raised because they are likely to be in that configuration for family-hauling duty; after all, it's a selling point of the vehicle. You can improve visibility by driving with the third-row seat lowered when you don't need it.

Finally, there is no substitute for staying aware and checking the area around the vehicle before and while backing up. It is time we all open our eyes to the real risks of rear blind zones.

--Gordon Hard