Research findings published today by Autoglass warn drivers of 4x4 vehicles about the dangers of A pillar blind spots.

The Safe Speed campaign has been highlighting this very real danger for years, but warns drivers that it isn't only 4x4 vehicles that suffer these problems.

'A pillar' blind spots are believed to be a common cause of 'Sorry Mate, I didn't See You' (SMIDSY) crashes, and are especially dangerous to bikers.

Following our work on the issue with Bike magazine, published in September 2004, Department for Transport commissioned urgent research. We believe that the research was completed in March 2004, but it remains unpublished. We'd like to know why.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "Many cars in all classes have 'A pillars' that are wide enough to cause potential dangerous obstructions to drivers' vision.Safe Speed has been working to highlight the issue since 2002. Our findings, warnings and recommendations are published on www.smidsy.org.uk."

"The warnings published by Autoglass should be extended to all drivers."

"Making cars stronger and more 'crash worthy' has had the side effect of making A pillars wider and stronger. The effects on drivers' vision have been largely ignored until recently."