It sounds almost unbelievable: an entire car can vanish right before your eyes—even when you’re in the driver’s seat. But for countless motorists, that’s no illusion. Welcome to the hidden hazard quietly lurking inside modern cars: the A-pillar, or as Dutch drivers call it, de A-stijl. This unsung hero of safety might just be the villain imperiling us all.
Safety Improvements: A Double-Edged Sword
Let’s face it—over the past few decades, cars have turned into fortresses. These days, reinforced crash structures and chunkier bodywork offer superior protection if the unthinkable happens. But all this armor doesn’t come without a catch. The so-called A-pillar—the beam between the windshield and the side window—has recently become so thick that it can dramatically impair the driver’s view.
Amer Adam, driving instructor at Autoklar Trafikskola, pulls no punches: that A-pillar conceals far more than most drivers realize. “Pedestrians, cyclists, and even entire cars sometimes disappear behind that wide beam,” he explains. The problem is especially pronounced in corners, at roundabouts, intersections, or residential neighborhoods where sightlines are already at a premium.
Motorcyclists: Danger, Now in Extra-Thin Packaging
If you think it’s tough spotting a car, imagine trying to see a motorcycle. Motorcyclists are slim, often travel quickly, and can quite literally disappear behind that same pesky A-pillar—even on wide roads. That’s not just theoretical: motorcycle schools train riders to always factor in the blind spots of car drivers, knowing how easily they can be missed.
This risk isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, it’s getting special attention in motorcycle education, where vigilance around car blind spots is practically a survival skill. After all, you can’t avoid what you don’t see—and in these cases, what you don’t see can seriously hurt you.
Learning to Outsmart the A-Pillar
Driver training doesn’t leave students in the lurch. The dilemma of the beefy A-pillar is tackled head-on in lessons. As Amer Adam says, learners are taught to move their heads and bodies forward or sideways, literally peering around the obstacle to maximize their field of vision. Sometimes, pylons are deliberately placed where they’re hidden behind the A-pillar, just so students experience firsthand how easily hazards can lurk out of sight.
Students soon discover that not all vehicles are created equal when it comes to visibility. Differences between training cars and exam cars—shape of the windows, thickness of the pillars—are instantly recognizable. Some even ask if they can take their test in an “easier” car, Adam admits. “But that’s never a valid excuse. If anything, it proves just how vital it is to develop your observation skills and sense of risk.”
Industry Response…and One Timeless Truth
Car makers aren’t blind to the issue—far from it. Saab, for example, experimented ten years ago with a foldable A-pillar that would only pop out during a crash. Nowadays, the quest for better solutions continues with digital tricks: cameras and screens can, in effect, make the pillar transparent. Yet despite these innovations, one thing hasn’t changed. As Adam sums it up: “The driver must always stay alert.”
- The auto industry is seeking a better balance between structural safety and driver visibility.
- Pillars play a crucial role in crumple zones, which means responsibility ultimately lands in the driver’s lap.
The message couldn’t be more clear. If you want to drive safely, you have to actively compensate for your car’s limitations:
- Stay aware of traffic participants who might be hiding in your blind spot.
- Adapt your speed—slow down where vision is limited.
- Use more than just your mirrors. When in doubt, use your head (literally!) and move it side to side to broaden your perspective.
In short: modern cars might shield you better in a crash, but nothing replaces a driver who’s wide awake, actively looking, and not afraid to wiggle their nose for a better view. Keep your eyes open, your neck limber, and remember—the next « invisible » hazard could be just around the bend.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
