Do You Know About the No-Zone for Trucks? Preventing Deadly Truck Accidents

Reports from the Florida Department of Transportation indicate that traffic in our region has been steadily increasing, including heavy commercial trucks, cars, and other passenger vehicles. A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh more than 20 times as much as the cars around it, so if that truck collides with other vehicles, the drivers and passengers of those vehicles are likely to suffer serious injuries. Trucking companies and the drivers who work for them have an obligation to follow safe driving practices, but we know that people do not always live up to their obligations.

So when you are driving in the vicinity of a truck, it is important to be aware of ways to help keep yourself safe and avoid becoming a victim of a truck accident. One step you can take is to avoid driving in the “no-zones” around a big truck. These zones are significant blind spots where cars and other objects are essentially invisible to the truck driver. When you stay out of the no-zones, you make it easier to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Knowing Where Trucks Cannot See You

Because they are larger than other vehicles on the road, tractor-trailers, such as vehicle transport trailers and tanker trucks, have the largest blind spots. But it is also important to be aware of the blind spots of heavy, high trucks that are not quite as long, such as dump trucks. There are four primary zones where truck drivers cannot see you.

In Front of the Truck

Believe it or not, one of the places where cars are invisible to truck drivers is in the 20 feet directly in front of the truck. This is because of the truck driver’s elevated position. The height of the seat in the cab provides good visibility down the road far ahead of the truck, but it prevents the driver from seeing objects directly in front of the cab for a distance of about 20 feet in front of the cab’s bumper. That makes it a very bad idea to change lanes directly in front of a truck. At that point, you become invisible and are at risk of an override accident.

On the Right and Left Sides of the Truck

There are significant blind zones on both sides of the truck, but the size and shape of those no-zones vary depending on the type and length of the truck. The largest blind spot is on the right side of the truck because the driver is on the left side. There is a triangular area that extends back past the end of the truck and to the right for up to three lanes, and any vehicle riding in that area may be partially or completely blocked from the driver’s view. 

If you need to pass a truck or a truck passes you, it is wise to adjust your speed so you remain in that blind spot for as little time as possible. If you ride in a no-zone and the driver is unaware of your presence, the truck could slam into you if the driver changes lanes to exit.

The blind spot to the left side of the truck is not as extensive as on the right because the driver usually has better visibility from that side. Nevertheless, there is still a large area of 20 feet or more from the driver’s side mirror extending back a little more than half the length of the trailer where objects in the left lane cannot be seen. As with the right blind spot, it is best to avoid riding in that no-zone for any length of time.

Behind the Truck

When most people hear warnings about the blind zones around trucks, they think of the area directly behind the truck. But they do not realize that the zone where visibility is obscured can extend up to 30 feet or more behind the truck. Three small cars can fit in that amount of space, so it is important to stay far back when you’re driving behind a large truck. Some traffic engineers estimate that the effective blind spot behind a tractor-trailer can extend as far back as 200 feet. While it may not be possible to remain that far away from a truck, it is important to keep in mind that riding too close puts you at risk of an underride accident with potentially deadly consequences.

Tips to Protect Yourself Around Trucks

Recognizing the ways that trucks operate differently from cars and being aware of the limitations in visibility, braking speed, and other factors can help you avoid catastrophic truck accidents. Some safe practices to follow include:

• Passing trucks only on the left, where the blind spot is smaller
• Waiting until you can see the entire truck in your rearview mirror before merging back into the same lane as the truck you passed
• Giving trucks that are turning extra space without trying to squeeze into that space
• Watching for the truck driver’s face in the side mirror (If you can’t see the driver, they can’t see you)
• Allowing for a lot of stopping distance

Of course, even when you take all available measures to keep yourself safe, you cannot control the actions of others. If the driver of the truck or another vehicle operates negligently, their actions can still cause a collision. If that occurs, it is vital to get a thorough medical exam as soon as possible, even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline can mask numerous symptoms of injury.

Searcy Denney Tallahassee Works Effectively to Obtain Full Recovery After Truck Accidents

The catastrophic injuries that often result from truck accidents are some of the most heartbreaking losses you can imagine. If following safe practices can prevent or minimize the consequences of even a single truck accident, then it is worth repeating these safety reminders in a never-ending loop.

When your best efforts at safety are not enough, however, you can count on the team at  Searcy Denney Tallahassee to fight for full recovery to help you move forward after a truck accident. To find out more about the assistance our team can provide, call us at 888-549-7011 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.