Stay clear of a truck’s “no-zone” to avoid an accident

We have all done it before. You’re in a hurry, so you speed up to go around a barreling 18-wheeler. The other car in front has slowed down as they approach traffic. Now you’re stuck right next to the gigantic truck you were attempting to get away from. Without intention, you have found yourself in the truck driver’s blind spot. These blind spots are not places anyone wants to be. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

What are no-zones?

You can think of a no-zone as a danger zone. There are areas surrounding trucks and buses that the driver cannot see. Essentially, your car disappears from their view in these spots. This is the cause of many tragic crashes, so it’s important to be aware of where they exist. There are five no-zones – or blind spots – to consider when you encounter an 18-wheeler or other large truck, which includes:

1. Side no-zones: Trucks have wide blind spots on each side. To make sure they can see you, check their sideview mirror. If you can’t see their face in the mirror, that means they can’t see you.
2. Rear no-zones: Another huge blind spot is directly behind the truck or bus. Since you can’t see what’s ahead, you want to keep your distance in case the truck needs to suddenly brake.
3. Front no-zones: Abruptly cutting in front of a truck is a recipe for disaster. Trucks and buses need nearly twice the amount of time to brake compared to a car. You should be able to see the whole front of the truck in your rearview mirror before you get in front, and then avoid slowing down.
4. Backing up no-zone: Motorists and pedestrians should be extremely wary of the backing up no-zone. Unlike other drivers, truck drivers do not have a rearview mirror. You can never assume the truck or bus driver sees you when they are backing out.
5. Wide right turns: Watch for blinkers. Truck and bus drivers require more space to safely execute a turn, so you shouldn’t try to squeeze in between them.

Other factors are involved in truck and bus accidents. Driving errors, weather conditions and oversized truckloads are only a few causes. You can use caution when avoiding no-zones and various blind spots, but sometimes the situation is out of your control. Truck accidents can be catastrophic, so it’s important for those involved to seek fair compensation.