New Jersey has about a dozen major interstates, and these are used every single day by hundreds of transport trucks trying to get to different places throughout the state or to pass through when they are headed out of state. The public relies on these trucks more than many people realize, as without them, many of the goods people use every day may suddenly be unavailable to them.
But these trucks can also pose a major danger to other drivers on the road, especially when a car is caught lingering in a truck’s blind spot for too long. Understanding truck blind spots in Cherry Hill can help you avoid accidents and protect your own safety. A qualified truck collision attorney can advise you on how best to understand blind spots and avoid commercial vehicle accidents.
Assumptions about Driver Visibility
One of the key aspects of understanding truck blind spots in Cherry Hill is realizing the size of a commercial vehicle in comparison to that of a normal car, and thinking about how that can affect a trucker’s visibility. Many people incorrectly assume that a truck driver can see their car wherever they are sitting because the trucker sits much higher up. But in fact, it is this very reason that makes it harder for truck drivers to see certain areas, particularly the front of the truck. Due to the height of the truck driver’s seat, they may be able to see far out in front of them, but not directly right in front of them. For this reason, if a car is traveling too close to the front of a truck, there is a very good chance that they are in the driver’s blind spot.
Just as cars should ensure they are not too close to the front of a truck, they also need to make sure they are not too close to the back of a truck. The very wide mirrors a truck driver uses can help them to see some distance behind them, but they cannot see what is directly behind their trailer. It is for this reason that all drivers should never follow a truck too closely and should instead leave more room than they would if they were following a passenger vehicle.
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Sides of the Truck
One blind spot that many people are aware of is the sides of the truck. Tractor-trailers are very long, usually about 55 feet, and there is simply no way a truck driver can see along the entire side. The further a car gets from the front of the truck, the likelier it is that they are in the truck’s blind spot. A good rule of thumb for all drivers to follow is to always keep the truck’s side mirrors in sight. If drivers can see the mirrors, the truck driver can most likely see the car.
It is these blind spots that are the hardest to avoid. When driving on a highway, people often need to pass trucks frequently. The best way to do so is to continually keep an eye on the truck while passing along the side and getting out of the truck’s blind spot as quickly as possible. If all else fails, no matter what blind spot a car may be in, if a truck is getting too close to a passenger vehicle, the driver of that vehicle should honk their horn to make the truck driver aware that they are there.
Let a Cherry Hill Attorney Help You Understand Truck Blind Spots
Understanding truck blind spots in Cherry Hill can be instrumental to ensuring your safety when sharing the road with tractor-trailer drivers. Accidents involving trucks and tractor-trailers often happen because the truck driver cannot see the other drivers on the road. By consulting an experienced lawyer and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself and other drivers from serious accidents.
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