THE KEY TO SAFER HIGHWAYS-KNOW THE "NO-ZONE"
The No-Zone represents danger areas around trucks where crashes are more likely to occur:
- Passing
When cars cut in too soon after passing, then abruptly slow down, truck drivers are forced to compensate with little time or room to spare. Because it takes longer to pass a large vehicle, you should maintain a consistent speed when passing and be sure you can see the cab of the truck in your rear-view before pulling in front.
- Backing Up
When a truck is backing up, it sometimes must temporarily block the street to maneuver its trailer accurately. Never pass clse behind a truck that is preparing to back up or is in the process of backing up. Most trailers are 8 1/2 feet wide and can completely hide objects that suddenly come between them and the loading area.
- Rear Blindspots
Unlike cars, trucks have deep blindspots directly behind them. Avoid tailgating in this No-Zone. The truck driver can't see your car in this position and your own view of traffic flow is greatly reduced.
- Side Blindspots
Trucks have much larger blindspots on both sides of their vehicles than passenger vehicles. When you drive in these "No-Zones" for any length of time, you can't be seen by the truck driver. If a truck driver needs to change lanes quickly for any reason, a serious crash could occur with the vehicle driving in the "No-Zone".
- Wide Turns
Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn. They cannot see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the truck and the curb or shoulder to the right increases the possibility of a crash.
[This was reprinted from a US Department of Transportation brochure entitled, "Help Promote WRECKless Driving-Don't Hang Out in the No-Zone"; more information can be found at www.nozone.org]