Partner
Understanding Blind Spots or “No-Zones” On Trucks
Any driver on the road can attest to the dangers of blind spots. It’s that small section to the right and left of your vehicle that you can’t see in your mirrors. Large commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks, have much larger blind spots which makes it much more difficult for truck drivers to see vehicles in the other lanes.
As a responsible motorist, you must recognize where a commercial truck’s blind spots are and how that impacts your ability to pass a truck and merge in front of it.
The blind spots on a semi-truck are:
- On the left and right of the truck
- Behind the truck
- And directly in front of the truck
Below, we’ll explain where they are and what you can do to avoid harm.
On the Left and Right
Large trucks have difficulty seeing what is directly to their left or right. Because their trailer is so long, their mirrors are angled to see what’s behind their trailer, not what’s alongside them.
This problem is worsened by the vehicle’s height, which makes it almost impossible to see a car either next to them or under their window. This blindspot is especially dangerous on the truck’s passenger side.
The shape of the mirror is concave, which distorts the reflection and extends their blindspot across two lanes on the right-hand side. Because of this limitation, you should try to pass a truck’s cab as quickly as possible and be sure that you don’t coast alongside them when you can prevent it.
Behind the Truck
Many truck drivers put stickers on the back of their truck indicating, “if you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” Keep in mind, this extends to behind the truck. A truck driver can’t see what’s directly behind them, or directly alongside them. If someone was following too close and tried to pass, the trucker may not see them at all.
In Front of the Truck
The front of the truck is not exactly a blind spot, but it is a dangerous place. Trucks need a lot more space to slow down. If a truck is right behind you, change lanes.
Also, never cut right in front of a large commercial truck. Before merging in front of a truck, you want to make sure you’re far enough ahead of them that you can see the top of their trailer in your rearview mirror.
If you’re in a crash involving a large commercial truck, our Bryan truck accident attorneys will work with you to determine your rights. At The Payne Law Group, we’re committed to safeguarding your ability to pursue the compensation and justice you deserve moving forward.
Call our team at (979) 300-7406 today or fill out our online contact form.