Where are a truck’s blind spots located?

Being able to see is pivotal to staying safe on the roads across Florida. At the same time, other people need to be able to see you.

Every vehicle has areas around them in which visibility is limited or fully obstructed. These areas are commonly referred to as blind spots. Due to the sheer size of trucks and commercial vehicles, as well as their limited scope for mirrors, blind spots tend to be accentuated.

Outlined below are some key areas to be aware of as well as some tips to keep you safe.

The back of the truck

Trucks tend to carry cargo in large trailers, which means visibility is fully obstructed directly behind them. Either by accident or aggression, some drivers opt to drive too closely behind commercial vehicles (tailgating), which significantly increases the chances of a rear-end collision.

The front end

Truck drivers generally sit much higher than other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. This means that they cannot see the areas directly underneath the cab. Drivers should try not to enter this space and truck drivers have a duty to ensure that they operate carefully around pedestrians, cyclists and fellow road users.

Both sides

Arguably, the most dangerous blind spot of a commercial vehicle is the right-hand side. It is of the utmost importance that drivers try to stay out of this area. As a general rule, if you cannot see the truck driver then they cannot see you.

The left-hand side is not without a blind spot too. Although it is a significantly smaller blind spot than the right-hand side, visibility is still impaired enough to warrant careful consideration.

Trucks and commercial vehicles are heavier and more vast in size, but they still share the road with smaller vehicles and people, so safety measures are crucial. If you have been injured in a collision with a truck, there may be a path open to you to pursue legal compensation.