Why Are Large Trucks So Dangerous?
Large trucks, including semi-trucks, are much more dangerous than smaller vehicles. They are responsible for a significant number of accidents each year, which are usually fatal – especially for passengers in smaller vehicles.
Blind spots
Larger trucks are notorious for their blind spots, significantly larger trucks. The ability to see, which is not something truck drivers can do within their blind spots, prevents accidents.
Blind spots, after all, keep truck drivers from seeing what is around them, giving them less control over what happens when they switch lanes or stop for a driving break.
What do I do when driving behind or around a large truck?
Your best bet is to pass the truck, if possible safely. Avoiding large trucks means taking fewer risks because of their four major blind spots, which can cause accidents that are often fatal.
What are the four main blind spots in trucks?
There are four blind spots in large trucks, one on each side of the truck. If the truck is larger, the blind spot will also be more prominent. That is very important to keep in mind. Additionally, it is critical for drivers of smaller vehicles to understand where the truck’s blind spots are:
Front of the truck: twenty feet
Behind the truck: thirty feet. If the truck is larger, the blind spot will also be more significant.
From the driver’s door to the back end of the truck
From the front right door of the truck to the back end of the truck.
Remember that if you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you. That is a blind spot. If you remain in that blind spot, you run the risk of the truck driver switching lanes and crashing into your vehicle. It is always best to ensure that you can see the truck driver in one of their side mirrors.
In addition, while most trucks have side mirrors, many do not have rearview mirrors. A lack of rearview mirrors makes them even more dangerous because the drivers cannot see what is behind the truck. Technology is slowly evolving and developing equipment, including cameras, to make truck driving more secure for drivers and vehicles around them.