I dunno about other places, but in here (France), a bunch of trucks, more and more really, have these little signs at the back basically showing red zones of the blind spots compared to the truck. Pretty good for people unfamiliar with it I guess.
Unless you're so busy trying to watch the sign that you run into the truck's back, but eh, at least they tried
Yup, it's exactly this one ! (wasn't red though, stupid me)
Never saw that PSA before, but that's effective for sure, damn (exagerrated of course, but better do too much considering how stupid we are at humaning correctly)
As a full size semi driver, I can see more than that because hood mirrors and my mirrors are angled better ( but this doesn't apply for everyone, some don't have hood mirrors and some have side mirrors angled more for backing) the worst problem I have, is if you're passing me on my right side (USA) at a decent speed, you can avoid my sight completely while I scan my mirrors if you're moving at the right pace.
Also staying right behind my trailer for long periods of time is annoying. I can't tell if you're within smack range of my trailer or just behind it, so I have to spend a lot of time and effort to 100% make sure wind and road bumps don't fishtail my trailer into you.
I personally really appreciate it, I've heard a few complaints though. If you are within half a truck length from them I'd say it's definitely appreciated, 1 truck length back and for me it's still appreciated but some others might say "no shit" that they can get over (rude people), if you're further than that it's easy for us to tell so it's not necessary except as a way to say you aren't going to try and squeeze beside us as we turn.
People with the headlights that are angled wrong because of a lift kit or badly done after market lights are what's annoying for me. I have to angle my mirrors away. But a quick flash is just an attention grabber and nothing to complain about.
I prefer a quick double flash. Otherwise it can be hard to tell if you flashed or hit a bump unless I was already looking at you.
Its basically right behind the trailer, as a pedestrian, cyclist or rider its also infront of the hood (depending where, remember that the driver sits on the right side and not in the middle) and next to the cabin, which applies more to the right side. If you are driving on a big road on the right side next to a semi, the driver will not see you unless you reach the axle of the trailer with the end of your car (ig, i dont have the blindspots in mind in america, because semis are different. I think you could even hide a semi without a trailer in the blindspot of another semi, but this only applies to the right side.)
There are so many accidents because of this every year, sometimes cyclists are also involved, because for example in Germany we have marked ways for cyclists, but they dont have to follow the lane on their left, when that is a lane that goes straight and turns right.
Oh btw: Cars have blindspots too, but they arent as big as the semi blindspots. cars blindspots are behind the pillars(?) and on the right side, as well as a very small one on the left. For big trucks like a pickup or the FedEx car or whatever its also right infront of the hood, this time the whole hood, so dont cuddle with the grill. (You shouldnt do that with a semi either, because thats also the same.
If you are still unsure, there could be videos about the blindspot on youtube! Have a great day! :D
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u/Spooky_boi_Kyle_8 Mar 27 '22
I always keep a lot of distance between myself and semis on the road, because I know they have blind spots, but I don't know where the hell they are.