What are areas beside or behind your vehicle where you cannot see other vehicles or pedestrians called?

The term used to describe areas beside or behind your vehicle where visibility is obscured, meaning you cannot see other vehicles or pedestrians, is known as blind spots. Blind spots are crucial to recognize when driving because they can pose significant safety risks. When changing lanes or merging, if a driver does not check their blind spots, they might inadvertently collide with another vehicle or a pedestrian that they are unaware of.

Understanding blind spots emphasizes the importance of proper mirror adjustment and head checks before maneuvering. It's critical for drivers to be aware that no matter how well designed a vehicle’s mirrors are, there will always be areas that remain unseen unless the driver turns their head or takes extra precautions. This awareness helps promote safer driving habits and reduces the likelihood of accidents.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe these unseen areas. For example, "dead zones" is not a commonly accepted term in driving safety, "no zones" is often used specifically in the context of large vehicles like trucks, and "hidden zones" does not reflect the standard terminology used in traffic safety discussions.