The No-Zone: When Trucks Can’t See You

2 years ago

If you’re new to driving, or even a seasoned professional, you might be asking, “What is a no-zone?”.

This week, we’re talking all about the “no-zone.” Plus, we’ll cover tips on how to avoid it. We hope that this information brings you closer to pledging to drive friendly and arrive safely.

What is a “No-Zone”?

When driving, a “no-zone” is simply the blind spot around a truck or a bus. Since these vehicles are so big, there are some spots where you can drive that they simply won’t see you. These spots are the no-zone and driving in them can be very dangerous.

What is the Most Dangerous No-Zone?

The most dangerous no-zone when you’re driving near an 18-wheeler is actually the front of the vehicle. If you are driving close to the front of a large truck, the driver won’t be able to see you over the front of their vehicle. This is dangerous because of the weight of a large truck. If you stop suddenly or cut in front of an 18-wheeler, it can be extremely dangerous for you. To avoid this no-zone, make sure to leave a lot of room between your own car and the front of a large truck if possible.

One of the largest and most dangerous blind spots for an 18-wheeler is its rear. Because these vehicles are long and usually don’t have a rear windshield, drivers must rely on the truck’s side-view mirrors to see behind them. Many times, these mirrors don’t reach directly behind the vehicle. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the side mirror of the vehicle in front of you, the driver can’t see you, and you should move to where they can.

What are the Blind Spots of Most Trucks?

Most trucks blind spots are in front of and behind them. They also have a small blind spot on the driver’s side (like a normal car) and a larger one that runs almost the entire length of the passenger side of the vehicle.

How Can One Avoid Being in the Blind Spots of Trucks?

The simplest way to avoid the blind spots of trucks is to be aware of where these blind spots are and avoid them. Above, we touched on how you can avoid the blind spots behind and in front of a truck. To avoid the driver’s side blind spot, avoid driving right next to the very front of the vehicle. Luckily, most trucks have to stay in the right lane, so you shouldn’t be on their passenger side very often.

Why Can’t 18 Wheel Truck Drivers See Around Them?

Truck drivers and bus drivers can’t see around them because of how long their vehicles are. They also don’t have a back windshield and tend to sit up higher – two things that further block their sightline.

How Can You Tell if the Driver of a Large Truck Can See You?

Like we said above, if you can see the mirrors of the vehicle in front of you, they can probably see you. More specifically, if you can see the driver’s actual face in the side mirror, they can most definitely see you, and you are not driving in the no-zone.

Sign the Pledge to Stay Safe Today

At Drive Friendly with Steve & Felecia, our goal is to help people in the East Valley gain knowledge about safe behavior on the road. If you’ve enjoyed learning about no-zones and want to commit to avoiding them and using other safe driving practices, sign the pledge today. You’ll be joining other people who want to drive friendly and arrive safely.