On the Arrive Alive website road users are cautioned to drive safely and to be cautious of other road users in their blind spots. We also find some important safety suggestions:
Extra caution is however also required when sharing the roads with trucks. Few drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians are aware of the limitations of a truck driver to carefully observe their movements in the blind spots around the truck.
Some Important Safety Tips when driving near Trucks
Know the Safety Zones!!
Front no-go zone
Cutting in front of a truck can be a fatal mistake. At 80km/h, it takes the length of about a rugby field (100 metres) for a truck to come to a complete stop.
Safety tips:
Side no-go zone
Trucks have extremely large blind spots on both sides. Even with large side-view mirrors, truck drivers can’t see everything around them. Driving in these areas can be dangerous.
Safety tips:
Rear no-go zone
Truck drivers often don’t have a rear-view mirror to look through, so they have to rely heavily on their side-view mirrors. If you’re behind a truck and can’t see the driver’s face in his or her mirror, then they can’t see you.
Safety tips:
Wide turns
Trucks make wider turns than cars. So be aware that a truck may need to swing wide, either to the left or right to avoid sidewalks, signs and utility poles. Drivers who stay aware and give trucks room will be safe.
Safety tips:
In recent times there have been several campaigns highlighting these dangers especially for our more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Also view:
Safely Sharing the Roads With Trucks – Avoiding Blind Spots And No-Go Zones
Volvo Trucks and a Global Campaign to keep Cyclists Safer
Cycling Safety and Sharing the Roads with Trucks
The Child Pedestrian and Blind Spots Around Trucks
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