There can’t be many drivers out there who – at one time or another – haven’t almost collided with something or someone at a T junction which was obscured by the van’s A pillar.

It’s a perennial problem and one that is getting worse as vehicles get bigger and heavier, making A pillars tougher and wider.

When I heard about Bending Light, a new company which has started manufacturing a device to show up such hidden objects, I was a tad sceptical I must admit.

I’ve seen lots of ‘miracle’ devices over the years and few of them actually work.

After all, if they are that good why don’t manufacturers make them a standard fitment?

So I called the firm’s CEO Paul Barlow and after chatting with him for a few minutes, I had to admit that he seemed pretty clued up about the subject.

Serraview is the name of the device and it is simply a strip of PVC that you stick in the windscreen of your van just behind the A pillar.

Some funny-shaped grooves do peculiar things to the light around this area and allow the driver to ‘see’ behind the metal.

Going into the technical reasons why this should happen are unnecessary – the question is, does it work?

The device came in the post in a little tub and contained comprehensive fitting instructions, which weren’t difficult to follow.

You just make sure the windscreen is clean and stick it on. Even I, the man who fails the Ikea test every time, can do that.

After fitting the device I got my partner to stand behind the A pillar and yes, it worked a treat.

She looked a bit of a funny shape but at least I could see that she was there!

At £20 a time, most operators can afford to kit out their entire fleets. After all, how much is a life worth?

For details. log on to: www.bendinglight.co.uk