How to Stay Out of a Truck's Blind Spots
Driving alongside tractor-trailer trucks is a part of everyday travel for most of us ,Truck drivers’ blind spots are areas around the truck where the driver does not have a clear view of nearby objects. If you are in one of these four blind spots when a trucker makes a maneuver, you could be in danger of an accident.
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Know where all the semi-truck's blind spots are. As a general rule, if the driver cannot see the truck's side view mirrors, then the trucker cannot see the driver. The following are the locations of a truck’s blind spots:
Behind the truck: This is where the ‘If you can’t see me, I can’t see you’ standard easily applies. If you’re traveling behind a truck and cannot see the truck’s mirrors, then you’re too close.
On the sides of the truck: The truck’s blind spots differ on the left and right. The blind spot on the left is located just behind the cab, while the blind spot on the right extends farther back and even continues just to the side and in front of the cab.
In front of the truck: Never cut off a truck because you’ll enter the truck’s blind spot located directly in front of the vehicle. To make sure you aren’t cutting a truck off, don’t merge into its lane until you can see both of the headlights in your rearview mirror.
Behind the truck: This is where the ‘If you can’t see me, I can’t see you’ standard easily applies. If you’re traveling behind a truck and cannot see the truck’s mirrors, then you’re too close.
On the sides of the truck: The truck’s blind spots differ on the left and right. The blind spot on the left is located just behind the cab, while the blind spot on the right extends farther back and even continues just to the side and in front of the cab.
In front of the truck: Never cut off a truck because you’ll enter the truck’s blind spot located directly in front of the vehicle. To make sure you aren’t cutting a truck off, don’t merge into its lane until you can see both of the headlights in your rearview mirror.
When a driver is in these blind spots, the trucker cannot see the vehicle and may accidently hit the driver when making a lane change or stopping).
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.
Do not follow a truck too closely. By staying close behind a truck , you'll be in the truck's rear blind spot, and if the driver isn't aware of this and makes a sudden stop , you're at risk of rear-ending into the truck. The best distance is about 20 to 25 car lengths behind a truck ,Or 4s.
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 his mirrors, then it's likely that he 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
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 his mirrors, then it's likely that he 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
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.
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 drive along a truck's Lift-hand side when the truck is turning Lift. 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 Lift. This is also important for motorcyclists and bicyclists; do not attempt to slip past on the right while a truck is turning .
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.
Blow your horn if you see the turn signal on your side come on or if you notice a truck start moving Towards You.
Do not drive along a truck's Lift-hand side when the truck is turning Lift. 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 Lift. This is also important for motorcyclists and bicyclists; do not attempt to slip past on the right while a truck is turning .
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.
Blow your horn if you see the turn signal on your side come on or if you notice a truck start moving Towards You.
