The supports at the sides of a windshield are commonly called A pillars. They contribute to the body structure and provide a location for trim and other equipment. They also interrupt the driver’s view. The practical effect depends on pillar shape, seating position, and what is happening outside the vehicle, making visibility an important part of ergonomic design.
Repeat the sightline check after changing seat height substantially. The view established for one driver may differ considerably from the view available to another person using the same car.
Apparent width changes with viewpoint
A pillar’s obstruction is not determined only by its physical thickness. Its angle and distance from the driver’s eyes change the apparent area it occupies. Interior trim may make the visible obstruction wider than the structural member underneath. A driver sitting higher or farther back may see a different blind area in the same car. Adjusting the seat can therefore change sightlines as well as comfort.
Check from the actual driving position
Set the seat and wheel before assessing a pillar. While parked, notice how the obscured area changes as your viewpoint moves, and remove avoidable cabin obstructions without interfering with restraints, visibility equipment, or airbags.
Movement can keep an object concealed
At a junction, a pedestrian or cyclist may move in a way that keeps them briefly aligned with a pillar as the car approaches. This is one reason a single glance is insufficient before turning. A small deliberate change in head position can reveal a previously hidden area. Such observations complement careful speed and attention; they do not eliminate every visibility limitation or replace appropriate road judgment.
Small windows have mixed results
Some designs include a quarter window near the base of the pillar. That opening can improve a particular sightline, but surrounding frames and mirror placement may still obstruct other directions. From outside, a glass section can look generous while offering limited benefit from the actual driving position. Inspect it from behind the wheel and examine both near objects and the view across a wider junction.
| Obstacle | Parked observation | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield pillar | What disappears behind it from your seat | Allow for the blind area in observation |
| Small quarter window | Whether the opening supplies a useful view | Its presence alone does not prove clear visibility |
| Accessory near the glass | Whether it enlarges an existing obstruction | Choose a suitable unobstructive location |
Cabin objects can worsen the problem
Phone holders, navigation devices, decorative items, and loose accessories may add avoidable obstructions near already restricted sightlines. Their position should also respect airbag areas and the manufacturer’s guidance. A device that seems convenient during setup may obscure a curb, cyclist, or crossing approach. Evaluate the whole windshield area after fitting anything, and do the assessment from the normal seated position rather than leaning toward the glass.
A narrow-looking pillar can still hide an important part of the scene from one particular seat.
Editorial takeaway
Make visibility a practical buying check
Set the seat and steering wheel correctly, then examine the areas beside each pillar. Notice how the mirrors overlap the obstruction and whether a comfortable head movement provides a useful second view. Consider frequent journeys: a steep driveway and a busy urban intersection may expose different weaknesses. Keep the windshield clean because glare and dirt compound restricted vision. The conclusion is to treat pillar visibility as a personal fit issue. Structural design cannot be judged by appearance alone, but the usable view can and should be checked carefully.
Featured image: Figure 12- Example of a Window Between the A-Pillar and Side Mirror (55521015370) by U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO), Public domain (U.S. Government Accountability Office). Image reproduced without editorial alteration; WordPress may create resized display copies.
