Sharing the road with semitrucks is something people do daily, but some drivers don’t know that they should avoid specific areas around the rigs. These are areas that are similar to a driver’s blind spots around a vehicle.
A general rule that people follow is that the trucker can’t see a vehicle if the driver of the vehicle can’t see the trucker. There are more specific rules about these areas around the semi that drivers have to know.
Specific zones to avoid
There are specific zones around the big rig that drivers must avoid. If a driver has to go into any of these zones, they should get out of them as soon as what’s reasonably safe.
- Side no zones: These are from the cab of the semitruck behind the trailer. It extends one lane over on the driver’s side of the semi-truck and two lanes on the passenger side of the semi-truck.
- Front no zone: This area is directly in front of the semi. It extends for 20 car lengths in front of the truck, so darting in front of the rig isn’t a good idea.
- Back no zone: Truckers don’t have rearview mirrors, so it’s not easy for truckers to see behind them. They won’t know if someone is tailgating them, which could be dangerous if they have to slam on the brakes.
While staying out of those no zones is one of the best ways to avoid a crash involving a semitruck, there are still times when a big rig may crash into a vehicle. Those crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries, which can be costly. Those victims may opt to seek compensation for the financial damages they’re dealing with. Legal guidance can help.
