Large trucks dominate New Jersey’s highways, transporting the products we rely on every day across the state and beyond. These vehicles can weigh up to 40 tons when fully loaded—dwarfing the average 2-ton passenger car. This massive size disparity means even minor collisions with a truck can result in severe damage, injuries and even death, highlighting the importance of staying alert and cautious when sharing the road.
One of the biggest safety risks when driving near trucks is their blind spots, often called “no-zones.” These no-zones result from the truck’s size, height, and limited mirror coverage, obscuring your vehicle from the truck driver’s view. By understanding and avoiding these blind spots, you can reduce the risk of being involved in a New Jersey truck crash.
Below, we’ll share practical tips for staying safe around truck blind spots, including how to identify them and what to do when sharing the road.
What Are Truck Blind Spots?
Truck blind spots, often called “no-zones,” are areas around a truck where the driver cannot see your vehicle. These blind spots include:
- The front of the truck: Trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, and drivers may not see vehicles immediately in front of them because the front blind spot extends up to 20 feet.
- The rear of the truck: A truck driver has no direct rear-view mirror, making the area directly behind the truck invisible. This rear blind spot stretches about 30 feet behind the trailer.
- The sides of the truck: The passenger side blind spot spans two lanes, while the driver’s side blind spot is smaller but still significant.
Staying out of these “no-zones” is critical, as lingering in them increases the risk of accidents.
How to Identify Truck Blind Spots on the Road
Truck blind spots are larger than those of passenger vehicles, making them more challenging to anticipate. Here are some practical ways to recognize blind spots:
- Use the “If you can’t see me” rule: To help drivers understand the importance of visibility, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a simple rule: if you can’t see the truck driver in their mirrors, they likely can’t see you either.
- Account for turning space: Trucks often make wide turns, creating temporary blind spots in adjacent lanes.
- Watch for lane shifts: Blind spots are more dangerous during lane changes, so give trucks extra space when they signal a move.
By maintaining visibility and avoiding these no-zones, you create a safer driving environment for everyone on the road. Once you’re familiar with the locations of blind spots, here’s how to safely navigate around trucks.
What to Do If You Are in a Truck’s Blind Spot
If you find yourself in a truck’s blind spot, take immediate action to reposition your vehicle. Options include:
- Slowing down: If you’re in a blind spot and unable to pass, reduce your speed to let the truck move ahead. This option is particularly useful if traffic conditions prevent you from safely changing lanes or accelerating. Once the truck is ahead, maintain a safe following distance to stay out of its rear blind spot.
- Speeding up: When it’s safe, accelerate to pass the truck quickly and move into a position where the driver can see you. Always pass on the left side, as the passenger-side blind spot is much larger and more dangerous. Use your turn signals to indicate your intentions and avoid lingering alongside the truck while passing.
- Changing lanes: If the option to slow down or speed up isn’t viable, consider switching to another lane. Make sure to signal your lane change, check your mirrors, confirming there’s enough space to maneuver safely. Avoid abrupt movements, as sudden lane changes can startle nearby drivers and increase the risk of a collision.
Remaining aware of your surroundings and acting quickly to reposition yourself is key to preventing dangerous situations. Remember, if you can’t see the truck driver in their mirrors, they likely can’t see you.
Tips for Avoiding Truck Blind Spots and Staying Safe
Driving near large trucks comes with unique challenges, which is why New Jersey law requires drivers to maintain safe following distances and change lanes carefully around trucks. By keeping the following tips in mind, you can reduce risks and share the road more safely with these massive vehicles.
1. Don’t Cut in Front of Trucks
Trucks take 40% longer to stop than passenger vehicles due to their weight and size. At 65 mph, a truck may need up to two football fields to come to a complete stop. Cutting in front of a truck can leave them without enough room to brake, putting you in danger of a rear-end collision.
2. Pass Safely and Quickly
When passing a truck, do so on the left side and avoid staying in the side blind spots for too long. Signal your intentions clearly and return to the lane only when you can see the truck’s front in your rearview mirror.
3. Keep a Safe Distance
Tailgating a truck not only places you in their rear blind spot but also increases the risk of being pulled under the trailer if the truck stops suddenly. Maintain at least a four-second following distance to allow for sudden stops.
4. Allow Space for Wide Turns
Trucks have a turning radius of 55 feet, requiring extra room to maneuver, especially on right turns. Watch for signals and avoid crowding a truck making a wide turn to prevent being caught in its trailer’s path.
5. Stay Alert in Work Zones
According to the FMCSA, 30% of fatal crashes in work zones involve at least one large truck. Be extra cautious when driving near trucks in these areas. Reduce speed and stay visible to truck drivers at all times.
While these tips can help you stay safer on the road, they can’t prevent every accident. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a truck, knowing your legal options is the next step.
Get Support After a New Jersey Truck Crash
Even when you take every precaution around commercial trucks, accidents can still happen due to a truck driver’s or another driver’s negligence. If you’ve been injured in a New Jersey truck crash, The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates is ready to help you take action.
Truck accident cases often involve complicated questions of liability and dealing with uncooperative insurance companies. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. We’re ready to review your case, explain your options, and work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
If we take your case, you won’t need to worry about upfront fees—we only get paid if we win. This approach allows you to focus on your recovery while we handle all aspects of your claim. With over three decades of experience in New Jersey personal injury law, we’re committed to guiding you through every step of the process.
Have you been searching online for “truck accident lawyers near me” or a “New Jersey personal injury lawyer”? Contact us instead. You can reach us by calling (973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246 or filling out our confidential online form to get started. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and fight for your rights after a New Jersey truck crash.
Copyright © 2024. The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates, LLC
72 Essex Street, Suite 2,
Lodi, NJ 07644
(973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246
https://peterdavislaw.com/
