Do large trucks have good visibility with their mirrors?

Question

Several times i have been driving and i'll be beside a truck and they'll try to change lanes on top of me! i drive a fairly low down car - 300zx and i am wondering if the trucks can't see me or something

Answer 1

You are correct. Large semi-trucks, box trucks, motorcoach buses and school buses have large blind spots especially beside the vehicle.

If you are in a passenger car or pick up truck/s.u.v. and you are beside the large vehicle, there is a very good chance the driver does not even know you are there.

It is a very good practice as you approach a larger vehicle and pass on their left, to flash your headlights and give your horn a quick toot toot so the driver can see you. Also look ahead and see if there is any potential reason for that driver to want to change lanes. "get the big picture" and leave yourself an out should that driver have to make a sudden meneuver and move into your lane.

Never assume the other vehicle no matter what size knows you're there. you have absolutely no idea what that driver is looking at, thinking about or dealing with in their personal life.

Be safe and Omnis Cedo Domus....everyone goes home!!!!

Answer 2

The best thing to do is not drive along side a truck,I see people get up along side of a semi and stay there.You should either pass as quickly as possibly or stay back until you can pass,you don't want to be beside a semi when it blows a tire.

Answer 3

Stay away from the blind spots of a truck.   In fact do not drive side by side with any vehicle.  My Dad taught me a long time ago " Son, when you drive, leave yourself an out".  When you are along side another vehicle, you reduced the number of outs by one.  Not a good decision to make.  As others have pointed out, truck tires have been known to blow out or come off the truck completely.  I suspect not as many these days compared to 30 years ago, but do you want to take the chance?  No Sir, not I.  I will risk a speeding ticket to put myself into a safer position on the road.

Answer 4

no they cant really see well out of their mirrors. you have to further back for them to be able to see you. Since they are higher off the ground, their blinds spots are large when compared to a car.

Answer 5

There also useless in the rain.

Answer 6

if cannot see the driver in his mirror he cannot see you..

Answer 7

Rule of thumb:  If you can't see the driver's face in the large

mirror then (s)he can't see you.

Answer 8

Sharing the road with a truck or bus involves knowing a vehicle's blind spots, how they maneuver and the distance they need to stop.

Your Vision Decision should be to stay out of a truck's "No-Zones." There are four "No-Zones" around a large truck where the driver is unable to see: the front, the back and the sides of the truck.

Be safe. Don't hang out in the "No Zone."

Answer 9

As a truck driver the mirrors do provide a good bit of visibility, However they are not perfect. no matter the size of the vehicle or mirrors there are still blind spots therefore when you pass you should do it as quikly as possible and do NOT hang out beside them. Also as someone mentioned they suck in the rain that is why so many states have laws for headlights in the rain. parking lights and marker lights are nearly invisible in fog and rain,  need the hHEADLIGHTS on.