Did you know that 70% of all products in the United States reach the destination via a kind of truck? That means most of the things you see around you got to you through a type of truck. However useful trucks are, they are also death machines.
If you’re a truck driver, you probably understand just how risky truck driving can be. A single slip up could lead to a devastating accident that could be fatal. What’s more, since you have to drive for thousands of miles, driving fatigue and truck blind spots could do you in.
In this guide, we’ll be highlighting truck blind spots and how to evade them. That way, you can have a safer driving experience regardless of the type of truck you drive.
What Are Truck Blind Spots?
All vehicles have blind spots or “no-zones,” but trucks have several because truck drivers sit higher up than car drivers. Blind spots are regions of the truck or around the truck where the driver’s vision is limited or blocked off completely. This can make driving very difficult and could sometimes lead to blind spot accidents.
Types of Trucks Blind Spots
As mentioned earlier, trucks have several blind spots depending on the type of truck. However, all trucks have four major blind spots, and they are:
Front No-zone
This is the primary blind spot for most trucks. Remember, trucks are large vehicles meaning the driver sits higher up than a regular car driver. This means the cab obstructs part of the road in front of the truck.
For semi-trucks, the front no-zone is equivalent to about ten car lengths. That’s why you should be careful when cutting in front of a truck. Do it too quickly, and you may end up in the front no-zone and cause an accident.
Rear No-Zone
The opposite of the front no-zone is the rear no-zone. This is a large no-zone behind the truck that the driver cannot see. That’s why tailgating a large truck could prove disastrous.
Right No-Zone
Driving on a multi-lane highway could prove problematic for most truck drivers because of the right no zone. Truck drivers must be careful to keep an eye on drivers on the lane right to them. Even the right-side mirror isn’t enough to take care of the right blind spot.
Left No-Zone
The blind spot to the left is much smaller than the right blind spot. However, that doesn’t mean that the left no-zone is worth overlooking. As a truck driver, you should be able to see the face of the driver to your left on your mirror.
Turning Blind Spots
Trucks require a lot of space to make a complete turn. As such, truck drivers need to be wary when making turns, and so should other drivers and passengers on the same road. You might need a man on the ground to give direction when making large turns on the road.
Blindspot accidents are pretty common, but panicking after an accident only makes things worse. If you happen to get out of the accident unscathed, you may have plenty of legal issues to address later. Head over to sweetlaw.com to find out what steps you should take after an accident to shield you from liability.
Know Your Blind Spots
Knowing the various truck blind spots makes for a safer driving experience whenever you’re on the road. You should, therefore, follow safety measures when near a truck. Avoid staying in the truck’s blind spots when it’s backing up or changing lanes.
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