what are large blind spots on trucks called?
welocome to solsarin. today on this post ,we will answer the question ”what are large blind spots on trucks called?” and leran how to avoid accidents caused by no-zones on trucks.
stay safe
When you are driving, you should do everything you can to stay safe.
This includes understanding that large trucks have large blind spots. These are called “no-zones” that should be avoided if at all possible. Driving around larger trucks on the roadways can be intimidating. Crashes involving these large vehicles can lead to serious injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully loaded eighteen-wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When considering that the average passenger vehicle weighs just 4,000 pounds, we can see why understanding no-zones is important.
Of all the vehicles on the road, large 18-wheeler trucks pose the most danger to cars. Their heavy loads increase their braking distance and their enormous size creates huge blind spots (also called no zones). While truck drivers are trained to frequently check their mirrors so that they can track cars before entering their blind spots, they can’t always do this because of fatigue or distraction. Therefore, it is up to the car driver to be aware of the truck’s blind spots and to drive accordingly.
The Four Blind Spots
1. There is a blind spot in front of the truck that extends about 20 feet out from its front bumper. This is caused by the height of the truck’s hood above the road. Motorcycles and sedans should always avoid this area. When passing a truck, don’t pull back into its lane until you can see the top of the truck in your rear view mirror. At this point, its driver will be able to see you. Never cut off a truck especially while braking.
2. To the rear of the truck is a blind spot that extends about 200 feet backward from its rear bumper. Avoid this area because the truck blocks your view of the traffic ahead. If the truck suddenly brakes, you will have little time to react. You will also be exposed to debris kicked up by its tires and possible loose cargo dropping onto the road.
3. The blind spot on the truck’s left side starts at the driver’s door and extends back to the trailer’s midsection. Never linger on this side of a truck because you shouldn’t count on the truck driver’s awareness of your presence in its blind spot. Steadily pass the truck.
4. The truck’s right side blind spot begins at the truck’s front and angles back to its rear. It also extends three lanes out to the right. This blind spot is larger than the one on its left side. Avoid passing the truck on the right. Be especially careful at intersections. Trucks make wide right turns and their large right side blind spot means they can easily collide with a car that tries to squeeze by.
Back Blind Spot on a Truck
This area leaves both you and the truck driver blind. You cannot see what is on the road ahead, so you have little time to react if the truck swerves or slows quickly. The rig driver cannot see you through the trailer. Many people do not realize that a truck’s rear blind spot can extend up to 100 feet behind the back of the trailer.
While that number sounds surprising, Consumer Reports says passenger cars can have rear blind spots up to 24 feet, SUVs up to 31 feet, and pickup trucks up to 50 feet. The longer the vehicle, the larger the blind spot.
How Can You Avoid a Truck’s Blind Spots?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns drivers to stay out of all four blind spots of large trucks. FMCSA calls these “No Zones.” It also urges extra caution when cars and trucks are passing each other. FMCSA offers this tip: “If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you.”
If you are in the lane to the left of a truck, you should not cruise alongside the truck. Either stay even with the front half of the truck cab or lag well behind the truck and one lane over to the left.
If you are in the same lane as a truck, you should stay more than 20 feet in front or more than 30 feet behind the truck, according to the FMCSA. Be aware that some experts recommend staying at least 100 feet behind large trucks.
Never tailgate a truck. If a truck tailgates you, change lanes as soon as it is safe to do so.
While in the lanes to the right of a truck, the only safe spot for the lane next to the truck is at least 30 feet behind the truck. If you are two lanes to the right of the rig, you can avoid the truck’s blind spots by staying slightly ahead of the truck or at least 20 feet back.
Never pass a truck on the right.
You could end up with catastrophic injuries from a squeeze play accident (i.e., when the truck makes a right turn and crushes you between the trailer and the shoulder, another car, a wall, etc.). If the truck is moving too slowly and you need to pass it, safely change lanes behind the truck and pass on the left.
When changing lanes in front of a truck, ensure you can see the entire cab in your mirror before changing lanes. Once you have pulled in front of the truck, maintain speed to avoid ending up in the front blind spot.
And remember, trucks also have limited visibility when they are turning, backing up, or changing lanes, according to the FMCSA. You should give the vehicle wide berth in these situations.
Is the Truck Driver at Fault in No-Zone Accidents?
While it is true that no-zones are the truck driver’s blind spots, all drivers are still responsible for checking their blind spots. A truck driver should not make a turn, change lanes, or merge with traffic without being aware of other vehicles around it.
When truckers drive recklessly, a crash can occur. As a result, the victims could hold the motorist responsible. However, when the smaller vehicle driver also does not take necessary precautions, they could also be held liable for the no-zone accident.
Back injury
Bone fracture
Scrapes and cuts from broken glass
Crushing or amputation injuries
Concussions
Facial Lacerations and scarring
Hand and wrist injuries
Internal bleeding
Limb loss
Nerve damage
Seat belt injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Whiplash injuries
Wrist injuries
How many of automobile accidents are caused by truck’s no-zones?
According to the United States Department of Transportation, as many as 413,000 automobile accidents are caused by truck blind spot accidents each year. An alarming 160,000 deaths occur as a result of these no-zone accidents.
how far is the front no-zone on a truck?
The front no-zone is 10- to- 20 feet in front of the truck cab. The rear no-zone extends to 200 feet behind a truck — that’s two-thirds the length of a foot- ball field. Regarding side no- zones, the message is don’t “hang out” on either side of trucks.
How far behind a truck does the no zone go ?
According to the FMCSA, the rear no-zone stretches 30 feet behind the truck. It is best to allow even more space if you are traveling at high speeds, as large trucks and buses require more room to stop.
the largest no zone on a truck
Right Side No-Zone: As the largest truck blind spot, it is crucial that drivers avoid passing on the right side. If you can’t see the truck driver in his side mirror, it is safe to say he or she can’t see you either. If you have to pass, make sure you pass on the left side.
4 Mistakes While Driving Near Trucks
Semitrailer trucks aren’t nearly as maneuverable as passenger vehicles, and they take a lot longer to stop.
The Arkansas State Police advises motorists to avoid making these four common — and dangerous — mistakes near big trucks:
Cutting off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach an exit or turn, or cutting into the open space in front of a truck. This removes the truck driver’s cushion of safety.
Trying to beat a truck to a single-lane construction zone, for instance, represents a particularly dangerous situation. Take a moment to slow down and exit behind the truck.
It will only take a few extra seconds.
Lingering alongside a truck when passing. Always pass a tractor-trailer completely and on the left side. If you linger when passing a truck, your position makes it impossible for the truck driver to take evasive action if an obstacle appears in the road ahead.
Following closely behind a truck when you can’t see the truck driver’s rear-view mirrors. In this situation, there is no way the truck driver can see you.
Tailgating a truck or car is also dangerous because you take away your own cushion of safety if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly. Additionally, if the vehicle you’re following hits something in the road, you have no time to react before it hits the front of your car.
Underestimating the size and speed of an approaching tractor-trailer.
Because of its size, a tractor-trailer often appears to be traveling at a slower speed than it is. A large number of car-truck collisions take place at intersections because the driver of the car doesn’t realize how close the truck is or how quickly it’s approaching.
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