Understanding Truck Blind Spots

My thoughts... Driving today has never been harder. As I think about this topic, we can all agree that the conversation about who's fault it is, who is or who should be responsible, or what should some else do to prevent it will be discussed at great lengths. We don't have to always agree, but we can all agree that many road crashes can be avoided if we take the time to understand and be aware.

I came across this article and I thought that it gave a simple and clear message. Take a few moments to read and reflect on the points highlighted. The next time you are in a vehicle of any size, the driver or not, think about it and speak up if you see something about to happen.

Read the full Wikihow.com article ( Here)

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Driving alongside tractor-trailer trucks is a part of everyday travel for most of us. However, many motorists don't realize that big trucks have blind spots and erroneously assume that by being higher up, the truck driver must be able to see them. Many drivers, especially newer ones, don't know where a trucker's blind spots are, which can lead to dangerous incidents in which the passenger car bears the brunt of the outcome. This article will tell you how to stay out of a truck's blind spots.

1. Know where all the semi truck's blind spots are. A blind spot is where the driver loses sight of other vehicles. Understanding the location and scope of each blind spot or "no zone" can help you avoid them. The image details the no-zones.

• There is a blind spot directly behind the truck. There is a "no zone" on each side of the truck that can span for several lanes.
• There is a blind spot in front of the truck that encompasses the lane the truck is in and one lane to the right.
• There is a blind spot beside the truck's right door (left door in countries that drive on the left side).

2. Be patient: When sharing the road with trucks, it's important to drive carefully and to realize that trucks cannot maneuver quickly in an emergency situation. Being patient is as important as knowing where the truck's blind spots are.

3. Do not follow a truck too closely. By staying close behind a truck (also known as "tailgating", you'll be in the truck's rear blind spot, and if the driver isn't aware of this and makes a sudden stop or maneuver, you're at risk of rear-ending into the truck. The best distance is about 20 to 25 car lengths behind a truck. This is also known as maintaining a four-second following distance. In poor weather conditions, this gap should be even longer.

• It is also dangerous to pass from a position too close behind a truck as you cannot see the traffic ahead clearly.
• Trucks traveling at high speeds create a lot of wind pressure, which is another reason for not staying too close.
• At nighttime, when following a truck keep your headlights on low beam because the truck's side mirrors can reflect the light back into the car driver's eyes

4. Keep both (left and right) truck mirrors in your sights as much as possible when traveling behind a truck. If you can see the driver's face in the mirrors, then it's likely that they can see you. The moment that you cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side mirrors, he can't see you any longer.

• If you lose sight of even one of the mirrors, the truck driver can no longer see your vehicle.

5. Give plenty of space when driving in front of a truck. Ensure that there is ample room when you change lanes in front of a truck.

6. Pass or overtake a truck with care. Do not pass or overtake a truck on the right-hand side (left-hand side in countries that keep to the left); this is because a truck's blind spot on the right runs down the length of the trailer and extends out three lanes!

• Signal your intention to pass early on and clearly. Be certain that the passing lane is clear before pulling out - bear in mind that it takes 25 seconds to pass a large truck on the open road.
• Pass quickly to stay out of the truck's side "no zones" area. Do not linger beside a truck but pass quickly. If you cannot pass a truck quickly, it's best to fall back behind the truck so you can be seen again.
• Keep in mind that you may be subjected to turbulence when pulling out from behind the truck and when passing back in front of it. This impacts small cars and motorcyclists the most.
• If passing or overtaking on the crest of a hill, remember that trucks speed up on the downhill.

7. Avoid cutting in too soon after passing. Truckers sit high and the hood of the cab hides part of the road in front of them. You should be able to see the entire front of the truck (or both of its headlights) in your inside rear-view mirror before you pull back in front of a truck. A truck requires twice the amount of time and space to stop as does a car. Do not decelerate immediately after pulling in front of a truck after passing. You may still be in the driver's blind spot. Even if you are seen, given that it takes longer for a truck to slow down or stop, the driver may not be able to stop in time. Instead, keep traveling fast to create a distance of about 10 car spaces between you and the truck.

8. Do not drive along a truck's right-hand side when the truck is turning right. A truck needs a wide berth in order to clear the turn, requiring additional lanes. When turning, the driver cannot see any vehicles on his right. This is also important for motorcyclists and bicyclists; do not attempt to slip past on the right while a truck is turning or is stopped at an intersection.

• Give more room than usual if you're behind a truck that's turning right. The driver has to swing wide to the left and his trailer will block the vision of any cars behind him.

9. Pay attention to a truck's brake lights and turn signals. These lights may be the only indication that a truck cannot see you. If a truck is about to turn or change lanes, be patient and wait your turn to do whatever it is you were intending.

10. Blow your horn if you see the turn signal on your side come on or if you notice a truck start moving into your lane. You are in a driver's blind spot if you notice this.

• It is your only warning to a trucker that you're in the place he or she is trying to go. Hit your horn several times if necessary.
• Attempt to move over a lane or onto the shoulder while blowing your horn. This might prevent your car from being hit if the driver still doesn't notice you.