Truck Blind Spots: A Cause of Traffic Accidents

Truck blind spots are one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. To reduce the occurrence of such accidents, it's essential not only to understand the extent of your own vehicle's blind spots but also to know what measures to take to reduce the probability of accidents caused by blind spots.

How large are truck blind spots?

• Front Blind Spot: The front of a large truck is a semi-blind spot, especially areas close to the body, which have significant visual blind spots. The danger zone varies depending on the size of the truck.

• Left Side Blind Spot: The left-side blind spot is near the rear of the cargo box and is slightly smaller than the right-side blind spot. However, when positioned at the left rear wheel, only half of the vehicle can be seen through the rearview mirror.

• Right Side Blind Spot: The right-side blind spot of a large truck is the most dangerous of all blind spots. It extends from the rear of the cargo box to the rear of the cabin, within a distance of approximately 1.5 meters from the width of the truck. The larger the cargo box, the larger the blind spot.

• Rear Blind Spot: The rear of a large truck is a complete blind spot, making it nearly impossible to see vehicles directly behind.

In addition to these blind spots, there is a "moving blind spot" - the inner wheel offset. When a vehicle turns, the turning radius of the inner front wheel is different from that of the inner rear wheel, creating an inner wheel offset. The longer the vehicle, the greater the turning radius, resulting in a larger inner wheel offset. If pedestrians or other vehicles are in the inner wheel offset blind spot, the consequences can be disastrous.

For truck drivers, even while inside the vehicle, they must remain vigilant and "keep an eye on all six roads." They should not only focus on the front view but also fully utilize all mirrors on the vehicle, such as blind spot mirrors and wide-angle rearview mirrors, to observe more during the driving process.

In addition to the above, technological solutions can also address blind spot issues. For example, electronic rearview mirrors and 360-degree panoramic imaging blind spot monitoring systems provide significant assistance for driving and reversing. By expanding the field of view, the probability of accidents is reduced, enhancing driving safety and providing peace of mind for drivers.